1
12
36871
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01092 3438
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013
http://archive.org/details/provincialstatepv12newh
Coton Ipapxrs.
DOCUMENTS
RELATING TO
m
3WNS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE,
GILMANTON TO NEW IPSWICH,
APPENDIX,
Embracing some Documents relative to Towns which have
been returned to the State archives since the
publication of Volume XI.
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
VOLUME XII
COMPILED AND EDITED BY
ISAAC W. HAMMOND
CONCORD, N. H.:
PARSONS B. COGSWELL, STATE PRINTER.
1883.
JOINT RESOLUTION relating to the preservation and publication of
portions of the early state and provincial records and other state
papers of New Hampshire.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Couj't convened :
That his excellency the governor be hereby authorized and empow-
ered, with the advice and consent of the council, to employ some suit-
able person — and fix his compensation, to be paid out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated — to collect, arrange, transcribe,
and superintend the publication of such portions of the early state and
provincial records and other state papers of New Hampshire as the
governor may deem proper; and that eight hundred copies of each
volume of the same be printed by the state printer, and distributed as
follows : namely, one copy to each city and town in the state, one copy
to such of the public libraries in the state as the governor may desig-
nate, fifty copies to the New Hampshire Historical Society, and the
remainder placed in the custody of the state librarian, who is hereby
authorized to exchange the same for similar publications by other states.
Approved August 4, 1881.
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
— 1136371
In this volume is continued the publication of the same class
of papers published in Volume XI, commencing with Gilman-
ton, and taking the towns, as alphabetically arranged, to New
Ipswich. They extend over a period, in some towns, of one
hundred and fifty years, ending with the year iSoo.
The editorial introduction to each town is intended to give
data relative to the grant, charter, and incorporation, and all
severances and annexations of territory, and all divisions for the
purpose of forming new towns, said data being compiled from
the manuscript records of the state in all cases. The petitions
for various purposes are valuable, as furnishing much historical
matter not elsewhere in existence, and the names of the inhab-
itants at various dates. They have been in all cases copied as
originally written, scrupulously preserving the orthography,
punctuation, capitalization, etc. Many valuable documents rel-
ative to soldiers of the various Indian and French and Revolu-
tionary wars may be found in this and the preceding volume.
Volume XIII, the printing of which has been commenced, will
contain the remainder of this class of documents.
The editor desires to express his gratitude to many citizens
of the state, who are especially interested in its history, for
encouragement given him in his labor, and for the many favor-
able comments awarded to Volume XI, and particularly to His
Excellency Charles H. Bell, for valuable advice and support.
Should this volume be as favorably received as its predeces-
sor, the editor will be entirely satisfied with the result of his
labor, and encouraged to future efforts. i. w. h.
Concord, May, 1883.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
GILMANTON.
Introduction, .... ....
Petition for authority to assess and collect taxes, i737>
Petition of inhabitants relative to a road, 1770,
Petition for a magistrate, ......
Letter from Col. Joseph Badger to committee of safety,
1776, .........
Roll of men of Col. Badger's regiment, mustered July
23, 1776,
Roll of officers in Col. Badger's regiment, 1776, .
Gilmanton soldiers' orders and receipts,
Return of ratable polls, 1785, .....
Petition for a magistrate, 1788, .....
Petition to have courts held at Norway Plains, 17S9,
Action of town relative to Gilmanton Academy, 1792, .
Thomas Cogswell to Hon. Abiel Foster relative to the
academy, i794> .......
Thomas Cogswell to Hon. John Prentice, relative to the
academy, ........
6
8
9
10
11
11
H
16
GILSUM.
Introduction, .......
Petition for a grrmt of the township, 1752, .
Petition to have the charter lengthened out, 1763,
Relative to boundary line between this town and Stod
dard, 1768, . .
Relative to a wire factory, 1776, .
Relative to collection of taxes, 1782,
Return of ratable polls, 1784,
Petition for a new town, 1786,
Certificate of vote of town, 1787,
Non-resident land-owners, 1793, .
18
18
l 9
20
21
22
2 3
23
24
25
VI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
GOFFSTOWN.
Introduction, .......
Relative to church matters, .....
Petition from Presbyterians, 1 77 1,
Relative to the settlement of Rev. Mr. Currier, 1771,
Remonstrance to Mr. Currier's settlement, 1 771 , .
Proceedings of town-meeting, 1 771 , .
Relative to a dispute at town-meeting, 1772,
Petition for a lottery to build bridges over Piscataquog
river, 177S, .......
Petition for the privilege of sending a representative
without being classed with Derryfield, 1779,
Documents relative to soldiers, 177S, .
Col. Kelley to Col. Stickney, ....
Relative to Joshua Wilson, soldier, 1775,
Warrant for town-meeting, 1780,
Petition relative to church affairs, 1 78 1,
Request relative to management of town-meeting, 1783
Deposition relative to constables' pay, .
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, ....
Warrant for town-meeting, 1783, ....
Protest against action in town-meeting, 1783,
Trouble between the Congregational and Presbyterian
parishes, 1783, .......
Protest against proceedings of town-meeting, 1783,
Petition to have the line between Goffstovvn and New
Boston established, 17S7, ....
Goffstown men in first N. H. resriment,
25
26
27
28
29
30
30
3 2
33
34
35
3 6
38
39
39
40
4 1
4 1
42
44
45
46
GOSHEN.
Introduction, ........ 46
Rev. Elias Fisher's certificate, 1796, .... 47
Petition for relief from paying ministerial taxes in Lemp-
ster, 1796, . . . . . . . e< . 47
Vote of Lempster relative to ministerial taxes paid by
Goshen, 1796, ........ 48
GRAFTON.
Introduction, ....
Petition for incorporation, etc., 1 777
Petition for incorporation, 177S, •
Petition relative to taxes, etc., 1779,
Justice of the peace elected, 1779,
Account of service done in the Revolutionai
.
49
.
50
.
5i
•
52
v war,
52
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Vll
Petition for the passage of an act making produce, etc.,
legal tender for debts, 17S3, ..... 54
Documents copied from Gen. Jonathan Chase's papers, 55
Grafton men drafted, 1780, ...... 56
GRANTHAM.
Introduction, ........ $6
List of grievances, 1777, ...... 57
Documents copied from Gen. Jonathan Chase's papers, 58
Relative to town lines, 1781, . . . . . 58
Inventory for 1775, ....... 59
Petition for a parochial parish, 1780, .... 59
Petition to have the name of the town established as
New Grantham, 1787, ...... 60
GREENFIELD.
Petition of sundry inhabitants to be annexed to Fran-
cestown, 1792, • > • • • • • • 61
Petition for annexation of some lands to Greenfield, 1793, 63
GREENLAND.
Introduction, . . . . .
Petition to have the boundaries established, i7 I 4i
Petition for authority to elect a representative, 1730
Relative to ministerial taxes, 1739,
Military officers elected, 1775,
Vote relative to forming a state government, 1776
Relative to Thomas Packer, Jr., soldier, 1779,
Soldier's order, 1781, .
Matrimonial agreement, Thomas Packer and Molly
Tarlton, 1779,
Relative to election of representatives, 1783,
Petition for authority to raise money by lottery to build
a bridge, 1789, .......
GROTON.
Introduction, ........
Election of justice of the peace, 1779,
Relative to a road through Plymouth, etc., 1781,
Petition relative to a road through Alexandria, 1782,
Capt. Edmund Shattuck recommended for a magistrate,
1735, •.
Petition relative to boundaries, 1785, ....
Petition for change of name of town, 1788, .
Petition of Cockermouth people for a new town, I79 1 ?
64
65
66
6 7
6 7
68
69
69
7*
72
73
74
76
77
78
79
80
Vlll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of Plymouth people for a new town, 1791, . 80
Capt. Edmund Shattuck's resignation, 1 79 1 , . . 82
Petition to have the name of the town changed to
Groton, 1796, ........ 82
HAMPSTEAD.
Introduction, .......
Assessment of rates, about 1764, ....
Petition for an incorporation of the town, 1746, .
Committee to prosecute the foregoing petition, 1748,
Request relative to foregoing petition, 1 749^
Committee to defend Kingston lawsuits, 1768,
Votes in town-meeting relative to Kingston claims, 1760
Votes of town relative to Kingston claims, 1767,
Committee appointed to settle with Kingston, 1767,
Relative to the settlement of Kingston dispute, 1768,
Elijah Heath's account, 1760, ....
William Heath, Jr., soldier, 1760,
Benjamin Morse, soldier, 1762, ....
John Sawyer, soldier of the R. I. expedition, 1778?
John Eaton's petition, soldier, 1780,
Petition to be classed for representative, 1785,
Petition relative to paper money, etc., 17S6,
Relative to Revolutionary matters,
Petition for a magistrate, 17SS, ....
Certificate of nails made, 1 79 1 , ....
Certificate of nails made, 1792, ....
HAMPTON.
Introduction, .......
Depositions relating to boundary line between Hampton
and Portsmouth, 1669, .....
Agreement relative to boundary between Hampton and
Portsmouth, 1669, ......
Election of assemblymen, 1691, ....
Vote relative to granting new town, Kingston, 1694,
Disbursements for soldiers, 1694,
Selectmen about a new town, 1694,
Election of assemblymen, 1694, ....
Hampton soldiers, 1695, 1696, ....
Hampton men in garrison at Exeter, i6y$-C)6,
Hampton soldiers, April to September, 1696,
New Hampshire to Hampton men, 1696,
Warrant for muster of the militia, 1697,
Hampton men sent to the fort, 1704,
Hampton soldiers, 170S, .....
GENERAL CONTENTS.
IX
Remonstrance against a township being granted at
Squamscot, 1709, ....
Another of same tenor, 1715,
Weare's petition for a township, 171 7,
Warrant for parish meeting, 1719,
Falls men present at said meeting,
New Parish men present at said meeting,
Petition for grant of a township, 1731,
Bill of expense for constructing a pillory, 1732
Petition of North Hill inhabitants relative to paying
ministerial rates : addressed to Gov. Belcher and the
assembly, 1738, .....
North Hill parish declaration, 1739,
Report of committee concerning lines between
Hill and the old parish, 1742, .
Remonstrance to foregoing report,
Abstract from Dr. Anthony's memorial, 1 757->
Abstract from Nathan Blake's petition, addressed
governor and assembly, Jan. 28, 1760,
Relative to small-pox, 1758,
Relative to a lottery, 1790, ....
Vote of town relative to a lottery, 1790,
Petition for authority to raise money by lottery
pair a bridge, etc., 1791, . . . .
Relative to aforenamed lottery, 1791, .
Relative to church matters, 1796,
List of land-owners, about 1738, .
North
to the
to re
112
JI 3
117
"5
TI 5
116
117
117
119
120
120
122
122
123
124
125
125
126
127
128
HAMPTON FALLS.
Introduction, .......
Petition for grant of a township, no date,
Petition of John Brown, innholder, for the privilege o
a town fair, about 1734, .....
Deposition of Joshua Pierce, ....
Petition relative to making a new town of the west part
1736, ........
Committee appointed to fix division line, and report of
said committee, 1736, .....
Action of legislature, 1737, .....
Petition for a change of dates of the fairs, 1738, •
Petition for the granting of a township, 1749,
Petition of Quakers relative to service in the army, 1761
Relative to incorporation of Seabrook, 1768,
Objections to the meeting called by Justices Bryant and
Emery, 1770, .......
Petition for the appointment of a committee to settle
parish difficulties, 1770, .....
130
130
131
132
133
133
135
135
136
137
138
138
139
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Report of the committee, 1770,
Louisbourg soldiers, 1746, .
Crown Point soldier, 1756, .
Abigail Dwinnell's petition, 1759,
Petition of Isaac Tobey, 1760,
Jonathan Knowlton, soldier, 1760,
Isaiah Row, soldier, 1760, .
Eleazer Quimby, soldier, 1760, .
David Steward, soldier, 1 761 ,
Proceedings in a parish meeting, i773>
Summons to witnesses in foregoing matter, .
Petition concerning aforesaid dispute, .
Another statement relative to the foregoing dispute,
D. Bachelder's statement concerning same, .
Election of a magistrate, 1776, ....
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Recommendation for appointment of magistrate, 1789,
Relative to working highway taxes in Hampton Falls
and Seabrook parish, 1791 , . . . . .
140
141
141
141
142
142
142
142
142
*43
144
146
H7
149
149
150
246
HANCOCK.
Introduction, ........
Consent of inhabitants of the east side to the incorpo-
ration of Hancock, 1779, .....
Petition for an incorporation of the town, 1 779' ■
Petition relative to taxes, 1779, ....
Report of committee to locate a meeting-house, 17S5,
Petition for special tax to build a meeting-house, .
Petition for appointment of a committee to locate ;
meeting-house, 1785, .....
Petition for authority to levy a tax to build a meeting
house, 17S5, .......
Relative to building a meeting-house, 17S7,
Petition of Jos. Putnam to be annexed to Hancock, 1793
Consent of the town to the foregoing, .
Relative to militia regiments, 17S5,
152
*5*
!5 2
J53
J 54
'55
'55
156
i57
'57
158
HANOVER.
Introduction, ........ 159
Vote of the town relative to its boundaries, 1772, . 159
Petition for an additional grant, 1771, .... 159
John Crane for leave to establish a hospital, 1773, . 161
Jonathan Freeman relative to Hanover addition, 1774, 161
Precept for the election of a representative, 1 775- • '^ 2
Vote of the town relative to the matter in dispute, . 165
Petition of Lieut. John House, 1779. .... 165
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XI
Petition of Thos. Clark, soldier, addressed to the gen
eral assembly, 1783, ....
Petition of Lieut. James Goold, 1783, .
Peter Johnson, Bunker Hill, soldier, .
Soldiers' orders, 17S6, ....
From Gen. Chase's papers, ....
Petition to have a part of Hanover incorporated into a
new town, 1783, .....
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate, 1784,
Petition for an issue of paper money, 1784, .
Relative to a road through town, laid out by a legisla
tive committee, 1786, ....
Petition for a grant to make a canal, etc., 1792,
Isaac Rogers's petition for a ferry, 1794,
166
166
167
167
1 68
170
171
172
J 73
174
*75
176
HAVERHILL.
Introduction, . . . . . . . . 177
Petition for a ferry, 1772, . . . . . . 177
Extract from grant to Asa Porter, . . . . 178
Report of the committee on the matter of granting a
ferry to Thomas Johnson, . . . . . 179
Relative to dead body found, 1776, . . . . 179
Enoch Bartlet's complaint, 1780, .... 180
Abstract from the petition of Geo. Moor, soldier, 1783, 181
John French, armorer, 1780, ..... 181
Moses Dow declines to accept an election as a member
of the congress of the United States, 1784, . . 182
Vote of town relative to paper money, 1786, . . 183
Selectmen's protest to the grant of a ferry to Ezekiel
Ladd, ......... 183
Petition for an act of incorporation for the academy,
J 793i l8 4
Subscriptions towards building a bridge over Connec-
ticut river, 1794, ....... 1S5
Asa Porter for a ferry, . . . . . . 186
John Hurd relative to roads, 1774, .... 186
Representation of services done by the town during the
war, and its present condition, 1798, . . . 187
HENNIKER.
Introduction, .......
Petition of the inhabitants to have the town incorpo
rated, 1768, .......
Return of men raised for the army, 1776'
Roll of Capt. Aaron Adams's company, 1776,
189
191
192
Xll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Joseph Patterson, wounded soldier, 1778,
Abraham Kimball, wounded soldier, ....
Soldier's order, 1779, .......
Petition for the appointment of a committee to locate a
meeting-house, 17S6, ......
HILL.
Introduction, ......
Petition to be incorporated into two towns, 1776,
Arms and ammunition asked for, 1776,
Petition to be incorporated, 1778,
Certificate of soldiers exempt from poll tax,
Deposition of Capt. Edward Everett, .
David Emerson recommended for coroner, 1782
Return of number of ratable polls, 1783,
Deposition of Joseph Emmons, 17S1, .
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1785,
Petition for a division of the town, 17S7,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 17S9,
*93
J 93
194
194
HILLSBOROUGH.
Introduction, ......
Hillsborough soldiers in R. I. expedition, 1778,
A list of alarm men in Hillsborough, 1776, .
Return of a soldier, 1779, ....
Bounties advanced by towns, 1782,
Lieut. Sam. Bradford's petition, 17S1,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1780,
Relative to drawing town lots, 17S4, .
Relative to date of annual meeting, 1785.
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 17S5,
Relative to Robert Tinney, soldier,
Relative to incorporating a town library, 1 797'
HINSDALE.
Introduction, .......
Col. Josiah Willard's account for supplies furnished sol
diers, 1750, .....
Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale's bill, 1 7S5 ,
Relative to Dummer's ferry.
Relative to abatement of taxes, 1779, •
Relative to Vermont controversy, 17S1,
Petition for a grant of a ferry. 1785,
Relative to aforesaid ferry, 17S6.
Another petition relative to same, 17S6,
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Xlll
Deposition of Josiah Wheeler, 1786, .... 219
Deposition of Nathaniel Stearns, 1786, .... 220
James Hubbard for a ferry, 1786, . . . . 221
Petition for a magistrate, 1789, ..... 222
Petition for authority to send a representative, 1793, . 222
Petition for the privilege of a lottery, 1795, . . . 223
Petition of Nathan Willard for a grant of Gravel Island,
i795. 22 4
Petition of Zebulon Moffatt, soldier, 1776, addressed to
the general court, ....... 225
Account for soldiers' bounties, etc., .... 225
HOLDERNESS.
Introduction, .......
Petition for a regrant of some forfeited rights,
Petition for arms and ammunition, 1776,
Hercules Mooney's petition, 1779,
Holderness soldier, 1782, .....
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Relative to class for representative, 1785,
Maj. Sam. Shepard recommended for a magistrate
i789»
Against the appointment of Sam. Shepard, .
Petition for the laying out of a road from Plymouth to
Hill, 1798,
HOLLIS.
Introduction, .......
Peter Wheeler's petition, 1 76 1, ....
Joshua Wright's petition, 1760, ....
Selectmen's account for taking an inventory of New
Ipswich, 1761, ......
Petition from inhabitants of Dunstable to be annexed to
Hollis, 1762, .......
Vote at a town-meeting, 1764, ....
Vote at a town-meeting, 176S, ....
Appointment of Sam. Farley, agent, 1768, .
Petition for the formation of a new town, 1768, .
Petition for the formation of a new town, 1769, .
Boundaries of Raby, 1769, .....
Agreement relative to extending the town further east
i.773i • • •
Petition of Dunstable parties to be annexed to Hollis
I773i • • •
Consent of Dunstable to the foregoing, 1773,
Relative to a Hollis man enlisted in Massachusetts reg
iment, 1778, .......
226
226
227
227
228
228
228
229
230
230
231
232
232
232
2 33
2 34
2 34
2 34
2 35
2 35
236
236
2 37
238
2 39
XIV
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Relative to appointment of officers in the militia, 1 775
Relative to the estates of absentees, 1779,
Estates of Hollis absentees, 1779,
Account of sale of confiscated counterfeiters' tools, 1780
Petition of Capt. Reuben Dow, 1778, .
Aid to the family of Jacob Danforth, 1779, .
Soldiers' Petition for an allowance for the depreciation
of their pay, 17S1, ......
Relative to Lemuel Blood, soldier, 1782,
Testimony of Reuben Blood and \Vm. Cormick con
cerning the same, 1780, .....
Deposition of Jeremiah Prichard, 1778,
Soldiers' orders, ......
Relative to estate of Wm. Brown, an absentee,
Relative to the restoration of Monson, 1782,
Petitioners' tax, 1782, .....
Statement of a grievance, 17S3.
r8 4 ,
Relative to articles of confederation.
y°3i
Petition of certain persons to be set off to Raby, 17S3
Opposition of Hollis to the petition of Raby, 1785,
Petition for a magistrate, 1784, ....
2 39
240
241
242
242
243
244
244
244
245
245
245
246
246
247
248
249
250
251
HOOKSETT.
Introduction,
Petition of Joshua Abbott for a ferry, 1782, .
Petition of Dustin and Martin for a ferry, 17S2,
Petition of McGregore and Duncan for exclusive privi-
lege of locking Hooksett falls, 1794,
252
2 53
2 53
254
IIOPKINTON.
Introduction, .......
Petition for the privilege of having a representative
177.3) • ■ • ' •
Relative to the formation of counties, 1772, .
Proceedings of a town-meeting, 1772, .
Relative to the formation of counties, 1772, .
Capt. Stillson relative to soldiers, 1776,
John Hale declines the appointment of major, 1777,
Petition of Timothy Clements, 177S, .
Remonstrance to the appointment of Benj. Wiggin
I7?5i • • ••.•.•..'
Petition for the appointment of Benjamin Wiggin as a
magistrate. 17S6, ......
Another petition in favor of Wiggin, 17S6, .
Petition in favor of Lieut. Joshua Morse, 17S6,
255
257
257
2 59
2 5^
260
260
261
261
262
263
264
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XV
Another remonstrance to Mr. Wiggin,
Enlistment papers, 17765 ....
Depositions relative to service in the army, 1777
Enlistments, 1781,
Certificate of soldiers mustered, 1 78 1, .
Petition of Joseph Marsh, soldier, 1787,
Petition of Samuel French, soldier, 1787, .
Petition of Elijah Smart, soldier, 1791,
Hopkinton men in the First N. H. Regiment,
Remonstrance to the ordination of Rev. Jacob Cram
J 7 8 9» ■
Another remonstrance of the same import, 1789,
265
266
266
267
267
268
268
269
269
270
272
HUDSON.
Introduction, .......
Nottingham West men in First N. H. Regiment,
Complaint concerning Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, 1747
Granting authority to Mr. Cummings to petition the
legislature, i747^ .....
Relative to ministerial affairs, 1747,
Alleged illegal voting, 1747,
Petition relative to foregoing, 1747,
Statement in favor of Moses Hadley's petition,
Relative to Jonathan Searle, 1775,
Relative to land of Wm. Brattle, 1777,
Relative to the protection offish, 1778,
Petition relative to aforesaid act, 1779,
Petition of Thomas Caldwell, 1783,
Depositions of Cummings, Cross, and Hale, 1783
Statement relative to building the road, 17S3,
More relative to said road, 17S3, .
Petition of Sarah Bradbury, 1780,
Petition of Richard Cutter, soldier,
Asa Davis recommended for a magistrate, 17S5,
Petition for an incorporation of a library, 1797,
2 73
2 73
274
2 75
*75
276
277
278
278
279
280
280
282
283
284
285
286
286
286
2S7
JACKSON.
Introduction, .......
Petition for an incorporation, 1796,
Another petition relative to incorporation, 1797, .
Another, relative to incorporating a town, 1799, .
288
289
290
290
JAFFREY.
Introduction, .......
Bounds of the township, as granted Nov. 30, i749>
Petition for an incorporation of the town, 1773, .
291
292
292
XVI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Case of assault before courts were established
county, 1775. •
Evidence relative to foregoing,
Petition of Daniel Russell, soldier, 1777,
Petition of Ephraim Adams, soldier, 1779,
Soldiers' orders, .....
Petition of Lucy Wesson, 1782, .
James Turner, soldier,
Petition of Benjamin Dole, 17S5,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Relative to Kendall Parsons, soldier, .
Petition for authority to raise a company of
1786, . . " .
Relative to Peterborough Slip, 1 7S7, .
Protest against setting off a portion of the town
n the
1 airy
17*7:
2 93
294
295
296
296
297
297
298
298
299
299
300
300
JEFFERSON.
Introduction, ........ 303
John Goffe, relative to township bounds, 1770, . . 304
Order to survey a tract of land for David Page, 1773, • 305
Petition for an act of incorporation, 1793, . . • 305
Introduction, ........ 306
Agent appointed to get the town incorporated, i75°i • 307
Jeremiah Hall appointed agent to obtain an act of in-
corporation, 1750, ....... 30S
John and Ruth Dinsmoor's petition, 1750, . . . 30S
Benj. Guild appointed to assist Capt. Hall, 1750, . 309
Petition for an incorporation of the town, 1751, . . 309
Another petition for an incorporation, 1753, . . 310
Relative to inoculation for small-pox, 1776, . . 311
Petition for a lottery for the purpose of building a
bridge, 177S, . . . . . . . . 312
Relative to a lottery for the purpose of building a
bridge, 1778, 313
Relative to trial of several royalists, 1777, . . . 314
Jeremiah Stiles chosen magistrate, 1777, . . . 315
Deserters from the army. 1777, ..... 316
Documents relative to Capt. Sam. Weatherbee, 177S, . 316
Col. Wyman's certificate, ...... 316
Deposition of Ebenezer Putnam, . .... 316
John Hart's discharge. 1776, ..... 317
Resignation of Maj. Timothy Ellis, 1779, . • . 317
Substitute for Nehemiah Town, 1780,. . . . 317
Nehemiah Brown, wounded soldier, .... 318
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XV11
Petition of Charles Rice, Bunker Hill soldier, 1791, '.
Warrant from Vermont for the election of two repre-
sentatives, 1 781,
John Balch, post-rider,.i78i,
Timothy Balch, post-rider, 1785,
Relative to taxes on estates of absentees, 1783,
Resignation of Timothy Ellis, 1782,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Relative to the county jail, 1783, .
Taxes on land of absentees, 1785?
Certificates of nails made, 1789, •
Election of a representative, 1794,
3i8
3i8
3 J 9
320
320
321
321
322
322
323
3 2 3
KENSINGTON.
Introduction, ......
Petitions of soldiers, .....
Petition for a grant of land, . .
Ebenezer Brown's complaint, 1778,
Petition for a paper currency, 1785,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
An appeal for Dr. Benj. Rowe, about 1785,
Petition for a coroner, 1786,
Jeremiah Fogg's declination of the office of Adjutant-
General, 1786,
KINGSTON.
Introduction, ........
Petition for a confirmation of the grant and specification
of its bounds, .....
Precept for an election, 17 10,
Kingston men's names, 1727,
Relative to taxation by Massachusetts, 173
Petition of inhabitants of the easterly part for a
parish, 1738,
Petition for a grant of land, 1738,
Action of town-meeting, 1742,
Petition for lands, 1750, '.
Action of town relative to roads, 1755,
Petition relative to a road, 1755, .
Report of a committee on the foregoing, 1755,
Petition for encouragement to manufacture salt, 1776
Petition for a lottery, 1777, ....
John Prescott, soldier, 1753,
Abstracts from petitions of French War soldiers
Capt. Samuel Fifield's certificate, 1762,
Petition of John Dent, soldier, 1759, .
2
3 2 4
3 2 4
3 2 5
326
3 2 7
3 2 7
328
3 2 9
3 2 9
33o
33i
33 2
33 2
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
339
34°
34 1
34i
34 2
34 2
343
xvm
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of Paul Pressey, soldier, 1759
Certificate relative to foregoing, 1759,
Jeremiah Bartlett's petition, 1778,
Soldiers' orders, ....
Petition of Sarah Hobart, 1797, .
Relative to the militia, 1784,
Another concerning militia, 1785,
Certificate of nails made in 1791 ,
LANCASTER.
Introduction, .......
Petition of David Page for more land, 1773,
Relative to representative, 1775, ....
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Petition of Col. Bucknam for the grant of a ferry, 1784
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1787, .
Petition relative to roads, 1788, ....
Relative to the formation of Coos county, 1790, .
Petition for a new county, 1791, ....
Petition to have the right of ferries vested in the town
1792, . . . . . _ .
Petition for authority to levy a special tax for road pur
poses, 1792, .......
Petition of Eleazer Rosbrook for a ferry, 1792,
Petition for special tax to make roads, 1793,
Record of a town-meeting, 1793, ....
344
344
344
345
345
345
347
35o
35i
35 1
35 2
352
353
353
354
356
356
357
353
359
359
360
LANDAFF.
Introduction, ......
Town-meeting proceedings, 1777,
Petition for an allowance for services in the war
Relative to representative class, 17SS, .
LandafF claims Edward Marden, soldier, 17S6,
Relative to a Bunker Hill soldier, etc., 1794,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1789,
Petition relative to sending representative, 1799?
1786,
361
361
362
3 6 3
364
365
365
366
LANGDON.
Introduction, ........ 367
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1789, . . 367
Petition for special tax to build a meeting-house, 1 793' 3^8
Vote of town relative to extending its north line, 1795, 36S
LKIJAXOX
Introduction, .....
Report of committee on boundaries, 176S,
3 6 9
3 6 9
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XIX
Return of arms and equipments, 1775,
Petition of Nathaniel Bugbee, soldier, i777>
Certificate relative to foregoing, 1777, .
Petition of John Slapp, 1778,
Soldier's order, 1785, .....
Documents copied from Gen. Chase's papers, 1777
Wm. Dana's return, 1777, ....
Relative to a committee of conference, 1777,
Letter from Nehemiah Estabrook, 1777'
Complaint of N. H. adherents, 1778, .
Relative to an alleged riot, 1 779'
Protest against the action of the town, 1780,
Call for a conference meeting, 1780,
Relative to Vermont controversy, 1782,
Disputed jurisdiction, 1782,
Relative to recording grants in office of the secretary of
state, 1782, .......
Protest against the incorporation of a district to b
called Dresden, 1783 : incomplete, .
Relative to the collection of taxes,
Relative to the incorporation of Dresden, 1783,
Relative to the incorporation of Dresden, 1783,
William Dana's petition for a ferry, 1784,
Petition for a new town, 1785,
Samuel Bailey for a ferry, 1785, .
Relative to the charter of the town, 1786,
Relative to town boundaries, 1786,
Report of committee on boundaries, 1786, .
Certificate of nails made, 1791,
37o
37i
37 1
37 1
372
37 2
373
374
374
375
376
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
382
384
384
385
386
387
388
388
389
77^ •
a magistrate
LEE.
Introduction, .....
Relative to Edward Dearborn, soldier, 1
Edward Leathers's order, 1784, .
Dr. James Brackett recommended for
1785,
Assessment list for taxes, 1787, .
Notice of a meeting of alarm-men, 1787,
Officers chosen at said meeting, .
Job Runnels recommended for a magistrate, 1789
Paul Giles recommended, 1789, .
39°
390
39 1
39 1
39 2
394
394
394
395
LEMPSTER.
Introduction, .
Relative to the town's quota of soldiers,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
783,
396
39 6
397
XX
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Civil magistrate wanted, 1785, ..... 397
Assessment list, 17S7, ....... 398
Relative to town boundaries, 1788, .... 399
Opposition to the north-east corner petition, 1790, . 399
Remonstrance to having the north-east corner set off,
1790, ......... 400
Petition to have the north-east part set off, and with
other territory incorporated into a town, 1791 , . . 401
Vote of the town relative to the foregoing, 1 791 , . . 402
Vote of the town of Newport relative to same, . . 402
More opposition, ....... 402
Portion proposed to be taken from Lempster to form a
new town, ........ 403
LINCOLN.
Introduction,
Petition for re-grant of township
404
404
LISBON.
Introduction, .......
Representatives chosen to attend the convention at Leb
anon, 1 777' •••••••
Statement of condition of the town and service in the
war, 1786, .......
Statement of town affairs, 1787, ....
John Young relative to town affairs, 1789, .
John Young wants a patent for building chimneys
179 1 '
Capt. Samuel Young's petition, ....
404
405
406
407
410
412
4 r 3
LITCHFIELD.
Introduction, ......
Warrant for town-meeting, r 743-»
Vote at said meeting, 1743, ....
Relative to paying rates in two towns, 1746,
James Hill's receipts, 1745,
Invoice of Lieut. Pelatiah Russell's equipments lost in
the service, 1757, .....
Capt. John Parker's petition, 1776,
Litchfield men at Ticonderoga alarm, 1 777'
Relative to being classed for representative, 1780,
lames Underwood relative to some confiscated estates
1780,
William Patterson relative to some confiscated estates
17S2,
414
415
416
416
417
417
4 1
41. >
420
420
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXI
Sel< ctmen concerning soldiers, 17S3, ••
Re>' irn of ratable polls, 1783,
Relative to their quota of soldiers, 1783,
Petition for a bridge at Cromwell's Falls, 1794,
421
422
422
4 2 3
LITTLETON.
Introduction, .....
Relative to taxes, 1786,
Relative to a tax for building roads, 1785,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents,
Relative to taxing non-residents, 1791 ,
Lieut. Peleg Williams's petition, 1793,
424
4 2 5
4 2 5
426
427
428
LONDONDERRY.
Introduction, ........
Relative to the burning of Matthew Clark's house,
i725i .-■■'■.
Order relative to laying out some land, 1728,
Warrant for town-meeting, 1733,
Charge against the legality of a town-meeting, 1736,
Precept for the election of an assemblyman, 1736,
Two sets of town officers chosen, 1737,
Relative to a new parish, 1737, ....
Relative to a parish in the westerly part of the town
J 739> •
Proposals for peace, 1737? .....
Return of laying out a highway, 1738, .
Petition from persons formerly belonging to Dracut for
a parish, 1741, ......
Londonderry bounds, ......
Relative to a road, 1743, .....
Certificate of service of a notice, 1742,
Report of a committee on roads, 1743,
Petition for a reduction of the number of licensed tav
erns in town, 1758, ......
Special town-meeting called for, 1745,
Relative to taxes, 1745, . . . , .
Order to the constable to collect taxes, 1764,
Relative to the election of an assemblyman, 1762,
^Election of assemblyman disputed, 1762,
3 Abstracts from petitions of French war soldiers, .
pRelative to the formation of counties, 1769, .
An address to the governor, 1773,
Relative to parish affairs, 1774, ....
Petition to have an election set aside, 1774, .
Protest against the foregoing named town-meeting,
429
430
43i
43i
43 2
43 2
433
435
43 6
437
440
441
442
443
443
443
444
445
446
446
447
448
45°
45i
454
455
45 6
457
XX11
GENERAL CONTENTS.
ho turn-
er for pro
ishington'
Reimbursement wanted for money paid men
ed out on the Lexington alarm, 1775,
Petition of Thomas Lannen, 1764,
Deposition of Thomas Davidson concerning
Certificate of James McGregore, 1776,
Petition of David George, soldier, 1776,
Service of minute men, 1775,
Petition of Wm. MacMurphy, 1777, .
Thomas Archibald, soldier, 1778,
Sergt. William Morrill, 1776,
Soldiers' enlistments, 1779, .
Samuel Thompson's petition, 1780,
Col. Scammel recommends Lieut. Asa Sen
motion, 1781, .....
Statement of John Nesmith, 17S2,
Joseph Hogg's order, 1784,
Petition of Samuel Houston, one of W
guard, 17S5, _
Petition of William Adams, 1791,
Relative to Lieut. Robert Barnet, 1778,
Petition for the release of Stephen Holland, 1777
Petition of certain persons to be annexed to Nottingham
West, 177S,
Relative to certain persons being annexed to Windham
!77 s >
Recommendations for military officers, 17S0,
Relative to the enlistment of Londonderry men by
Massachusetts, 1781,
Relative to the line between this town and Windham
1782, .
Relative to foregoing matter, ....
Verbal agreement made, 1782, ....
Protest against Mrs. Jane Holland's being permitted to
return, 1782, .....
Abstract from town inventories, 17S2-S3
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Petition to be exempted from paying ministerial tax in
the old parish, 1783,
Instructions to representatives, 17S3, .
Relative to counterfeit money,
Petition of sundry persons to be annexed to the east
parish, 17S3,
Relative to parish affairs, 1784, .
Petition to be annexed to the west parish, 1784
Petition for a Sunday act, 1784, .
Relative to paper money, etc., 17S6,
Vote of the town on paper money, 17S6,
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XX111
Letter, — Col. Reid to the president of the state, . . . 482
Daniel Reynolds elected to fill a vacancy in the house
of representatives, 1787? ...... 482
Petition of Congregationalists for an incorporation,
i79 6 > • • • • 483
Committee chosen to present the petition, 1797, . . 484
LOUDON.
Introduction, .......
Petition to have a portion of the town annexed to Con
cord, 1782, .......
Benjamin Sias recommended for a magistrate, 1785,
Vote relative to paper money, 1786,
Joseph Smith recommended for a magistrate, about
1785, ........
Another recommendation for Joseph Smith,
John Sanborn recommended for a magistrate, 1789,
List of soldiers in the army, 1776,
Soldiers' enlistments, 1780-81, ....
Soldier's receipt, 1780, .....
Soldiers' orders, 1784-85, .....
LYMAN.
Introduction, ......
Petition for an extension of the charter,
Relative to taxes, .....
Town invoice, 1 777'
Petition for abatement of taxes, 1779, .
Report of a committee relative to a soldier, 1786.
Relative to soldiers furnished for the war, 1786,
Petition of non-residents, 1787,
Petition relative to a ferry, 1790, .
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1790,
Vote of town relative to a ferry, 1791, .
Petition of Jacob Hurd for a ferry, 1793,
LYME.
Introduction, .........
Thomas Sumner relative to the town grant, 1768,
Condition of the town, 1768, . . . . .
Town inventory, 1773 : names only printed,
Vote of town relative to the convention at Lebanon,
*777,
Letter, — Jonathan Childs to Hon. Jacob Bailey, 1776,
Petition of Capt. Ebenezer Green, 1 781, . .
Report of committee on soldiers, 1786, .
4S5
485
486
487
489
490
491
49 1
492
492
492
493
494
495
495
496
496
497
498
499
499
500
5oi
501
502
503
504
5o4
505
505
XXIV
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Documents copied from Gen. Chase's papers, . . 506
Petition for charter for a ferry, 17S4, .... 506
Complaint relative to representation, etc., . . . 507
Petition for the annexation of Grant's Island to the
town, 1788, 508
LYNDEBOROUGH.
Introduction, .......
Recommendation for a coroner, 1776, .
Recommendation for a magistrate, 1779,
Letter from Benjamin Lynde, 1 779->
Petition for a division of the town, 1780,
Remonstrance to foregoing petition, 1783, .
Another remonstrance, 1784,
Statement from the petitioners, 17S4,
Another statement of the situation, 1784,
Report of a committee of conference, 1785, .
Remonstrance to a division of the town,
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Soldier's order, 1784, .....
Soldier's bounty, ......
Lyndeborough men in First N. PI. Regiment,
Relative to military affairs, 1785, .
Nehemiah Rand recommended for a magistrate, 17S6,
Relative to warning Elisha Wilkins out of town, 1788,
Committee report relative to foregoing,
Petition for the setting off of the north-west part of the
town, 1790, .......
Inhabitants of Lyndeborough Gore for an incorpora
tion, 1790, ........
Consent of Peterborough to foregoing, 1 79°?
Report of a committee on the foregoing,
Proceedings of a town-meeting relative to the foregoing
1791, . . . ...
Remonstrance of sundry inhabitants to being- set on
1791
Report of a committee on the foregoing, 1791 ,
Petition from inhabitants of the south-west part to be
annexed to Temple, 1795, .....
Action of town on foregoing petition, 179 ? •
Rev. Mr. Goodridge's statement, 1776,.
509
509
5">
5ii
5*3
5'4
518
5'9
521
521
521
522
522
5 2 3
5 2 4
525
526
527
528
528
529
53 2
533
534
535
535
MADIiURY.
Introduction, .......
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate,
Pelatiah Daniels, soldier, 1760,
53 6
536
537
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Daniel Pinkham, soldier, 1 77^?
William Twombly, soldier, 1779, .
Bounty to George Ham, 1784,
James Jackson's order, 1785,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition for authority to elect a representative, 1786,
xxv
538
538
538
538
539
539
MANCHESTER,
Introduction, ........
Petition of Hadley and Kidder, 1759, .
Ebenezer Newman, soldier, 1779,
Letter from Col. John Goffe to Gov. Wentworth rela
tive to trespasses and some sharp practice at an elec
tion in Derryfield, 1766, .....
Jeremiah Stevens for confirmation of a grant of land
1742, . . . . . . . .
Relative to the discontinuance of a road, 1753,
Relative to the alewive fishery, 1776,
Relative to being classed for representative, 1780,
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Relative to Sabbath-breaking, 1784,
Proportionment of foreign, domestic, and state debt
1787, . . . . . . . ....
Petition for the appointment of a committee to settle
the north line of the town, 1789,
Vote of the town relative to line, 1789, .
Petition for an incorporation to erect a bridge over Mer
rimack river, 1792, ......
Relative to Amoskeag bridge, 1792,
Petition for a grant of land, 1794, ....
Petition to have a gore of land incorporated with Der
ryfield, 1795,
Samuel Blodgett for a charter to construct a canal
around Amoskeag Falls, 1794, ....
Petition for legislation to protect fish in Cohas brook
!797>
Blodgett's canal, 1798, ......
Petition for the incorporation of a company to construct
a canal from Merrimack river to Massabesic pond,
J 7?9» ■•■:•..
Petition for authority to raise money by lottery to com
plete the canal, 1799, ......
Relative to locks and canals on Merrimack river, etc.,
Another petition for the protection of fish in Cohas
brook, 1800, ........
540
541
543
543
545
545
547
549
55°
55 1
55i
552
553
554
554
555
556
557
55S
559
559
560
562
565
XXVI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
MARLBOROUGH.
Introduction, ......
Petition for an act of incorporation, 1775,
Another petition for an incorporation, 1775,
Petition for an incorporation, 1776,
Petition of Maj. Andrew Colburn,
Calvin Goodenow, soldier, 17S2, .
Relative to taxes of Elijah Williams, 1781,
Certificate of nails made, 1790,
Against the appointment of William Parker, 1790,
Relative to boundary between this town and Fitzwill-
iam, 1795, .
MARLOW.
Introduction, .........
Inventory of 1773, . .......
Relative to the election of representative, 1776,
Relative to the east line of the town, 1777, •
Relative to the settlement of the east line of the town,
177.8, . . .
Relative to taxes, 1784, .......
Relative to east line of the town, 1798? •
Remonstrance to the establishment of the east line as by
the act of 1797,
MASON.
Introduction, .....
Petition for a town charter, 1768, .
Relative to an alleged theft, 1775, .
Relative to paper currency, 1777, .
Vote relative to paper currency, 1786,
Soldiers' orders, ....
MEREDITH.
Introduction, .........
Petition for an incorporation, 1768, ....
Soldiers' orders, 1 777' '$3» '$5' .....
Relative to William Maloon, soldier, 1791 , .
Petition for a change of day of annual meeting, 1784, .
Petition of the Baptist societv for an incorporation,
'797^ • •
Vote of town relative to the Baptist society, 1797,
MERRIMACK.
Introduction, .........
Sarah Lutwyche, relative to ferry, 1775,
566
567
568
568
569
570
570
57o
57*
57*
572
573
573
574
575
575
576
57 6
577
578
579
579
580
5S1
581
582
582
583
584
584
5S5
586
586
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXV11
Report of committee on the foregoing, 1 775'
Remonstrance to petition of Matthew Thornton for a
ferry, 1784,
Another remonstrance to same, 1784,
Nathaniel Garfield, quarter-master, 1779,
Soldier's order, 1782, ....
Relative to William Cowen, soldier, 1784,
Petition in behalf of James Taylor, 1785, .
Relative to the election of representative, 1762,
MIDDLETON.
Introduction, ......
Petition to be incorporated,
Soldiers' orders, 1784, '85. '92, .
Petition of John Barter, soldier, 1788,
Relative to the town's quota of soldiers, 1783,
Petition for a division of the town, 1785,
Remonstrance to the foregoing, 1785, .
Relative to the town's quota of soldiers, 1786,
Vote relative to paper money, 17S6,
Petition for abatement of taxes, 1787, .
Petition for a magistrate, 1790, .
Relative to division of state tax, 1794,
MILFORD.
Introduction, ....
Asa Lewis, soldier, 1776,
Soldier's order, 1785? •
Petition for an incorporation, 1779,
Remonstrance to foregoing, 1779,
Remonstrance from Amherst,
Petition for an incorporation, 1780,
MONSON.
Introduction, .......
Vote of the town, 1761, .....
Vote relative to locating a meeting-house, 1756, .
Hollis asks for a portion of Monson, 1763, .
Benjamin Hopkins's bill, 1761 , ....
Relative to annexation of a portion of Monson to Hoi
lis, 1773,
Petition to be annexed to Hollis, 1762,
Reasons for not granting foregoing petition, 1763,
Address expressing satisfaction with the county arrange
ment, 1769, .......
Vote of Monson, 1770, .....
Opposition to reestablishing Monson, 1782, .
5*7
588
589
591
59 2
59 2
59 2
593
594
595
596
596
597
598
599
600
601
601
602
603
603
604
604
605
606
607
607
609
610
610
610
610
611
612
612
614
61s
616
XXV111
GENERAL CONTENTS.
MOULTONBOROUGH.
Introduction, . . . . . . . . 616
Petition for an incorporation, 1773, .... 616
Letter from Col. Joseph Senter to the legislature, 1776, 617
Petition for an incorporation of the territory into two
towns, 1 777' • • • • • • • • 61 7
Relative to Rev. Samuel Perley, 1779, . . . 618
Relative to doomage, 1780, ..... 620
Enlistment, 1780, ....... 620
Petition of non-residents, 1790, . . . . . 621
Vote to change date of annual meeting, 1791, . . 622
NASHUA.
Introduction, .....
Vote of town relative to bridge over Nashua
Relative to bridge over Nashua river, 1753,
Relative to representative, 1762, .
Trouble at a town-meeting, 1762,
Petition relative to the foregoing, 1762,
Notice of meeting, 1762,
Votes relative to " One Pine Hill" matters,
Relative to the formation of counties, 1769,
Relative to bridge over Nashua river, 1773,
Petition for authority to elect a representativ
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Lieut. Jonathan Emerson's petition, 1779,
Dr. Hale's certificate, 1779,
•iver, 1753.
e, 1783*
622
623
624
625
626
628
629
630
631
632
6 33
634
6 34
635
NELSON.
Introduction, ... .... 635
Petition for an incorporation of the town, 1773? • • 636
Petition for change of the name of the town, 1777, • 637
George Brintnall's order to march, 1778, . . . 637
Relative to taxes, town records, etc., 1778, . . . 637
Relative to estate of Thomas Packer, etc., 1780, . . 638
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ..... 639
Relative to a division of the town for the formation of
Sullivan, 1786, ....... 639
Petition of Ruth Batcheller, concerning her husband's
confiscated estate, 17S9, ...... 640
Certificate of number of ratable polls, 1794? • • 64-1
Relative to representative, 1794, . . . . . 641
NEW BOSTON.
Introduction, . . . . .
John Burns, soldier, 1760, .
642
642
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXIX
House burned, 1756, . . ...
Petition for an incorporation, 1760,
Relative to boundary lines, .....
Relative to the petition for an incorporation, 1761,
Relative tolocatinga meeting-house, 1765, .
Relative to ministerial lot, 1768, ....
Relative to the formation of counties, 1769,
Petition for the incorporation of a new town, 1771 ,
Statement from the committees of safety of New Bos-
ton, Weare, and Francestown, 1775 ,
Concerning Dr. Jonathan Gove, 1777, .
John Hunter, wounded at Bunker Hill, 1776?
Rhode Island soldiers, 1778, ....
Robertson and McMillan, wounded at Bunker Hill
i78°>
Jonathan Margery, wounded at Saratoga, 1781, .
Relative to Johnston Smith, 1782,
Relative to Samuel Boyd, . . . . .
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Concerning Dr. Gove and Silas Hedges, 1786,
Instructions to representatives, 1787,
Relative to boundary line between this town and Goffs
town, 1788, .......
Report of committee on town lines, 1788,
Report of committee on town lines, 1788, .
Petition from soldiers who were captured at the Cedars
J795
Soldier's order, 1798, . . . . ...
NEWBURY.
Introduction, .......
Relative to incorporating the town, 1778,
Committee to petition for redress of grievances, 1781,
Petition of aforenamed committee, 1782,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1789, .
Remonstrance to foregoing, 1789,
Petition for the incorporation of a new town, 1791,
Vote of town relative to foregoing, 1791,
Petition of sundry inhabitants to be annexed to Brad
ford, 1796, .......
Report relative to town lines, 1797,
643
6 43
644
645
645
646
647
648
649
650
652
652
653
653
654
654
655
656
659
660
661
662
662
663
664
664
665
666
66>j
668
668
66 9
NEW CASTLE.
Introduction, ....
Relative to settling a minister, 1682,
Petition of Humphrey Spenser, 1682,
670
672
673
XXX
GENERAL CONTENTS.
at
Petition for a tavern license, 1682,
Joseph Purmort for tavern license,
Statement and petition of Joseph Purmort, 1683
Remonstrance of Portsmouth selectmen, 1682,
Precept for the election of an assemblyman
Island, 1694, ......
Relative to town bounds, ....
Precept for election of assemblymen, 1695, .
Summons to assemblymen, 1698,
Warrant for militia muster, 1697,
Return of assemblymen, 1698,
Col. Romer, relative to Fort William and Mary,
Col. Romer's memorial, 1705,
Supplies for soldiers, 1705, ....
Relative to a bridge, 1719, .
Petition of Rev. John Blunt, 1737,
Rev. Stephen Chase accepts a call to the ministry
Petition of Dr. Nathaniel Sargent, 1746,
Petition of Joseph Langmaid, soldier, 1756,
Petition of John Odiorne, Jr., for a divorce, 1759
Eunice Odiorne binds out her child, a unique i
lire, 1754,
Relative to tax on Trefethen's mills, 1763,
Relative to ministerial matters, 1772, .
Relative to soldiers attending church, 1773,
Relative to harbor defences, 1776,
Memorial relative to fishery business, 1776,
Petition for authority to establish a lottery, 177S,
Report of committee on damage done by the troo
Relative to legislative representation, 17S4, .
Petition for authority to establish a lottery, 17S9,
Petition from Rye relative to the lottery,
Petition from sundry inhabitants to be annexed to
Petition from George JafVrey for an allowance for
age caused by building the fort,
NEW DURHAM.
Introduction, ......
Petition from Canada soldiers, 1764,
Petition from Elizabeth Doe,
Petition from Peter Drowne, soldier, 17S5, .
Petition from Samuel Runnels, soldier. 17SS,
Soldier's order, 1784, .....
Petition from Elisha Thomas, soldier, 1787,
Petition from Richard Colomy, 1791, .
Relative to Robert Karson, soldier,
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Star
7°4>
i75o,
ndent-
ps,
Rye,
dam-
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXXI
Resignation of Col. Thomas Tash, 1791,
Petition relative to library, 1797, .
705
706
NEW HAMPTON.
Introduction, .......
Benning Moulton recommended for a magistrate,
Another for same, ......
Vote of town to set off the north-east part, 1796,
Soldier's order, 179 2 ? ......
NEWINGTON.
Introduction, .......
Newington men sworn, .....
Concerning irregularities in town-meeting, 1737, .
Additional petition concerning foregoing,
Irregularities in town-meeting, 1745, .
Deposition of Hateevil Nutter, . .
Relative to a road laid out in 1656,
Deposition of Thomas Tibbetts, Joseph and Abigail
Richards, .......
Statement concerning aforesaid road, 1753, .
Schedule of petitioners, .....
Deposition of George Walton, . . . .
Deposition of Samuel Huntress, ....
Proceedings of court of general sessions, 1 753? •
Proceedings of court of general sessions, 1754,
Report of committee on said road, 1755,
Relative to dividing line against Portsmouth, 1763,
Military officers chosen, 1775, ....
Benjamin Adams's statement, unique, .
Relative to election of representative, 1782, .
Petition for authority to send representative,
Another communication from Benjamin Adams, .
Remonstrance to appointment of Mr. Adams, 1787,
George Gains relative to the aforesaid,
Petition for the incorporation of a library,
NEW IPSWICH.
Introduction, ........
Petition for authority to levy special tax, 1762,
Remonstrance of non-residents, 1763, .
Relative to paying committee to locate a meeting-house,
1768, .
Relative to establishment of counties, 1769, .
Vote of town relative to lots, 1772, .
706
707
708
709
709
710
710
711
712
712
7H
714
7^5
716
717
717
718
718
720
721
721
722
7 2 3
725
727
727
728
729
729
73o
73 1
732
733
734
734
XXX11
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition concerning same, ......
Petition for pay for service done in the war, and lists of
men who turned out on Concord alarm, .
List of men who turned out on Royalton alarm, .
Petition for pay for horses lost in the service,
Appraisal of estates of absentees, 1778,
Relative to oath of allegiance, 1783,
Relative to militia regiment, 1785,
Service of Samuel Walker, .....
Petitions of John Thomas and Ezra Towne, soldiers,
Petition for an allowance for bounties,
Petition for the incorporation of New Ipswich Acad
emy,
Petition for a lottery for the benefit of said academy,
735
APPENDIX.
List of Saratoga men, 1777, ....
Boscawen enlistments, 1776, ....
Boscawen, relative to John Allen,
Boscawen returns of soldiers, 1778 and 1779,
Bow, William Rogers's complaint, 1776,
Bow returns of soldiers 1776 and 1778,
Bow enlistments, 17S0, .....
Canterbury train band, .....
Canterbury enlistments, 1776, ....
Canterbury enlistments, 1780 and 1 78 1,
Chichester, return of Capt. Cram's company, 1776,
Concord enlistments, 1779 and 1 781, .
Agreement between the town of Exeter and Edmund
Gilman, 1647, ......
Deed of Wadononamin to Edward Hilton, 1660,
Documents relative to a convention of delegates from
towns in Hillsborough and Cheshire counties, .
Address from said convention, ....
Address from Amos Dakin, chairman of said conven
tion, ........
Action of the legislature concerning same, .
Index to names of towns, places, etc., .
Index to names of all the persons mentioned in the vol
ume, .
EARLY TOWN PAPERS
NOTE.
The documents in this volume were copied from the manuscripts in
Vols. IV, V, VI, and VII, of the collections of 1880, and Vols.
II and III, " Indian and French Wars and Revolutionary Papers," in
the office of the secretary of state. They are numbered to correspond
with the originals.
H~EW HAMPSHIEE
Early Town Papers
GILMANTON.
This is one of the old townships, and was granted May
20, 1727, to Nicholas Gilman and one hundred and seventy-
five others, but was not settled until about 1761, when
Benjamin and John Mudgett moved into town with their
families and there settled.
The Masonian Proprietors claimed the land, but a settle-
ment was made whereby they relinquished their claim to all
but eighteen shares, giving the town proprietors a quit-
claim deed June 30, 1752.
Iron ore was discovered in the town, and works for the
manufacture of iron were built as early as 1763, but the
business not proving remunerative was in a few years aban-
doned.
Governor's Island was annexed to the town December
30, 1799. June 16, i8i2,the northerly part of the town was
set off and incorporated into a town by the name of Gilford.
July 5, 185 1, a tract of land was severed from this town and
annexed to Gilford.
By an act passed June 29, 1859, the town was divided,
and the north-westerly part incorporated into a town by the
name of Upper Gilmanton, which name was changed to Bel-
mont June 24, 1869.
Gen. Joseph Badger was the first magistrate, and for
many years a prominent citizen of the town. He was a
member of the council in 1784, I790-'9I, i795-'96. Gen.
Badger was born in Haverhill, Mass., January 1 1, 1722, and
died April 4, 1803 ; was grandfather of Gov. William Bad-
ger.
3
2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-S5] \_Petition for Authority to assess and collect Taxes,
1737^
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq r : Gov r and Com-
mander In Chief in and Over His Majesty's Province of New
Hamp™ : The Hon ,)le His Majesty's Council & House of Rep-
resentatives for Said Province in Gen 1 Court assembled —
The Petitio7i of a Committee of the Proprietors of Gilman-
town in the Province afores d in behalf of the said Proprietors
Humbly Sheweth — That the Propriet™ afore sd live in Several
Towns within this Province & Some of them who became So
by Purchase live in the Province of the Mass a Bay — whereby
they can by no means already Provided, Collect the money
Voted by the Propriet™ afores d to carry on the Settlem* &
other matters relating to the Said Townships & Propriety, any
further than they Voluntarily pay the Same. —
That for want of Legal Authority to Collect the Said money
the Settlem* of the Said Town is greatly Retarded, and an un-
equal Burthen bro't upon Such of the Said Proprietors as are
Diligent & forward in carrying on the Settlem 4 who are Some-
times obliged to pay more than their proportion to prevent a
total neglect of the Settlement.
That the Propriet™ who are zealously Concern'd to promote
the Said Settlem* have been at Great Charge to Cut a Way up
to the Said Township, & building houses of Defence, Laying
out their Lots &c — which they only have Defrayed —
Your Peticon™ in behalf of themselves & their Constituents
therefore Humbly pray This Hon ble Court that you would be
pleased to Enable their Selectmen for the time being to tax the
Said Propriet™ to all Legal Charges relating to the Said Town-
ship And also the Constables or Collectors for the time being to
Levy the Same on the Lands & rights of the Propriet™ who
Neglect to pay their Said Taxes in Season and to make Sale of
So much of the Said Lands of any Delinquent Propriet™ in the
Same or Some Such manner as Constables of Towns are En-
abled to do with the Goods of Such as do not Seasonably pay
their Town Rates or in Such other way & manner as you in
yo r Great Wisdom & Goodness Shall See meet —
And Your Petition™ as in Duty bound Shall ever pray &c
John Gilman
John Brown
In The House of Representatives. Voted That The Prayer
of the Petition™ be granted with this Amendment —
That the Constable before the Sale of any Lands Destraned
upon Give forty Days Notice in Some one or more of the pub-
lick Prints of the destrcs and Sale of Such Lands, and that y e
GILMANTON. 3
Lands So distraned upon be sold to the highest bider and after
the sale thereof if there be any overplush besides a Suficiency to
Pay that Assesment and the Charges acruing thereon, that y e
Constable pay the Said Surplusage to y e Select men of S d Town
and there to remain in S d Select mens hands and y r to remain,
in order for y e Said Delinq* or Delinquents Proprieters to Draw
out the Same when they Demand It — and if not demanded be-
fore a new Asesment then to be disposed of to defray S d Charges
of the new Asesments — Provided this act Continue for the Space
of ten years & no Longer and that the Sale of Such Lands be a
good title to y e Purchaser any Law usage or Custom to y e Con-
teray notwithstanding and that the Pet rs have Liberty to Bring
a Bill accordingly
James Jeffrey Cle r ass m
In Coun 1 March 30 th 1737 —
Read and non-concurr'd unanimously —
Rich d Waldron Sec^
[4-86] \_Petition of Inhabitants relative to a JRoad, iyyo.~\
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq re — Captain General
and Governour in Chief the Hon ble Council and the Hon ble
House of Representatives of His majesties province of New
hampshire in New England —
The Petition of us the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Gilmantown, Humbly shew that by an act of this Government
the proprietors of said Town were obliged to make a Road
through the same and that we have Been always Informed that
the Inhabitants had no Concern in it and the proprietors have
Disobeyed the Courts order and voted that they would not make
the Road and the Courts Committee have Been obliged to Do it
and we understand that some of the proprietors of said Town
are Desirous that this Great and Honourable Court would order
that all the Lotts in said Town should be Taxed to pay that
Charge which we apprehend would be a Grievous Burden upon
us that are Inhabitants there for the Inhabitants have Ventur d
their Lives and fortunes to settle that town and have had no
help from the proprietors to make any Road in it or but a very
little and are obliged to be at the Expence of two Hundred Dol-
lars a Year to make and maintain their Necessary Roads and if
the Expence of making the province Road should be paid by a
Tax on the Lotts there is a Great Number of proprietors who
own Large Interest in the Common Lands that will pay Little
or nothing by Reason they have sold the Greatest part of what
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
is Laid out and at an Exorbitant price by Reason of the settle-
ment and Roads we have/made at our own Expence
Therefore your Petitioners Humbly pray that Your Excellen-
cy and this Great and Honourable Court would take the matter
into Consideration and Grant us some Releif as Your Excellen-
cy and Honours in your Great wisdom shall Judge proper
and your petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever pray &c
Dated at Gilmantown afores d Nov r 20 th 1770
Sam 1 Fifield
John Dudley
Simeon Bean
Ben i am in James
Samuel morrison
Joseph Avery
Abnar Clough
John Sanborn
Samuel Clough
Benjamin Weeks
Sam 11 Avery ju r
W m Smith
Matthias Sawyer
David Edgerly
Philip Pain
Joshua Bean
Nath 1 Wilson
Beniamin dow
Eliphalet Gilman
Gilman Lougee
Samuel hatch
Edward Lock
John Moody
Dudley young
Nath u Elkins
Samuel Gilman
Lemuel Rand
Benj a Avery
Andrew Glidden
John fox
Summersbee Gilman
Jotham Gilman
Ephraim morrill
Ed\\ d Gilman jun
Ebenz 1 " Paige
Jonathan Edgerly
Joseph Philbrick
Samuel Ladd
Samuel Avery
John Been
Stephen Bean
Daniel folsom
Daniel Stevens
Nicholas Gilman
Benjamin Gilman
wintrop Gilman
Jeremiah Connor
David Elkins
Stephen dudley
Edward Gilman
thomas mudget
Simeon mudget
Jude Bean
Jeremy Cogswell
Jrimiah richisen
Jonathan Gilman
4-87]
\_Pctitio7z for a Magistrate.^
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss.
To his Excelency the President and the Honourable Council for
Said State Convened.
The humble Petition of us the Subscribers being Inhabitants
of the southerly part of Gilmantown in the County and State
aforesaid humbly sheweth that whereas the said town of Gil-
mantown is large and Consisting of near Four Hundred Rate-
able Poles & as there is no person that is appointed and Qualli-
fied as a Justice of the peace in the Southerly part of the Said
town as Afores'd and we Your Petitioners pray your Excelency
and Honours would appoint and Quallify M r . John Shepard of
said town as a Justice of the peace for said County ; as we think
him to be a man of the best Qualification with us for the same :
and \ our Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray
GILMANTON.
5
Joshua Bangs
Nat 1 Gilman
John melcher
Daniel Evens
Reuben osGood
John Tucker
Theophilus Drew
Stephen Hutchinson
John Melcher juner
Benjamin Grant
scribner muget
Micajah Morrill
Ephraim morrill
Aaron moses
Joseph flanders
Samuel Osgood
Natha Wilson Jur
Paul Merrill
Stephen Ben"
Joseh Looge
John Swain J r
Jonathan Avery
Samuel Prescott
Winslo Page
John Lougee Jr
Samuel moses
Stephen Swain
Joseph Gilman jun
Samuel Smith Jun r
David meeder
Samuel Avery
Jonathan Flanders
Jonathan Hutchinson
Josiah Rundlet
Pitt Lougee
Sam 11 Shepard
True Page
Elisha Hutchinson
Jonathan Gilman 3
Josiah Avery
Elisha Sweat
Nathan Morrill
Henery Barter
George Moses
John Chase
Joseph Jones
Ebenz r Paige
Joseph young
Josiah Avery Juner
Jotham Gilman
John Huckins
Jeremy Cogswell
John Edgerly Jr
[Revolutionary Papers, Manuscript, pages 12 to 15.]
[Letter from Col. Jos. Badger to Committee of Safety."]
To the Hon ble The Committee of Safety for the Colony of
New Hampshire — Gentlemen Pursuant to orders from Nath 1
Folsom Esq Maj r General I have proportioned the men sent for
on the several Companys in my Regiment and the officers have
Returned the Names of the men and as sent for except two
wanting from Leavitts town [Effingham] and two from Middle-
town, and as there is no militia officers chosen there I applyed
to the selectmen and Committee of Safety and they say that their
men are so many gone in the warr that they cant raise any more
as to Leavitts town if their should be danger of Indians I think
they are exposed as they are the outside and the selectmen dont
Incline to spare any out of their town and so I shall come four
short of the Number sent for which I hope you 1 please to abate
as Leavitts town Tamworth and Sandwich are frontier towns as
my Regiment is so Extensive for Land I have ordered my men
to be muster d next frieday at Gilmantown and to come prepared
to march forward as they shall have orders there is Between
fifty and sixty that are to pass muster who are to have Liberty
of Chusing their officers they have unanimously agreed upon
their Capt. and first Lieut, if they can have Incouragement they
will equip themselves and go with the men. the men will be
all mustered on frieday and ready to march and wait your fur-
6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ther orders I am Gentlemen your Hon" most obe* & Hum 1
Scrt
Gilmantovvn July v p 15 th 1776 Joseph Badger Colonel
of the tenth Regiment of militia in the Colony of New hamp-
shire
\_I\oll of Men of Col. Badger's Regiment, mustei'ed yuly 23,
1776.']
Colony of New hampshire )
Strafford ss. j Gilmantown July 23 d 1776
Pursuant to a vote of the Council and Assembly and by orders
from the Major General of this Coloney I have Raised out of the
Regiment under my Command to Reinforce the Array supposed
to be at Crown Point the several men hereafter named as follows
viz
Mustered by James Knowles Esq and marched in Cap 1 Bad-
gers Company.
Joseph Badger Jr.
John Parsons
Francis Blake
Winthrop Durgan
Bradbury S inkier
Richard Sinkler
Stephen Hutchins
Nathaniel Dow
William Ray
John Marston
Ebenezer Blake
Jonathan Magoon
Jeramiah Richardson Samuel Meeloon
Stepen Dudley
Robert Tibbitts
David Clough
Joshua Sinkler
John Avery
Thomas Currier
Jonathan Gilman
Jabez James
John Drake
Jonas Carter
John Cooley
Benj" Burley
Stephen Gilman
Eth ridge
John Glidden
Jonathan Lary
Stephen Scribner
John Fullerton
John Piper
William Rogers
John Folsom
Stephens Burley
William Burley
William Eastman
Chase Wiggin
Jonathan Buzzell
John Barker
Jonathan Smith
Jonathan James
Mustered by Coll Baker and gone in the same company
Ephraim Roberts John Powell
Mustered by Coll Baker and gone in Cap 1 Drews company
Joseph Runnils
John York
William Chandler
Peavey
Job Allard
Jesse Wiggins
Henry Weritworth
Josiah Wiggins
Richard Colomy
John Wentworth
Benjamin Home
Benj" Mooney Listed with Cap" Harper
Samuel W'inslow gone with Cap 1 Marston.
GILMANTON. J
Mustered by Col 1 Walker and gone with Cap* Shepard
Moses Randal Samuel Mackeriss Jonathan Morrison
Jonathan Smith Jr Thomas Crosbey Timothy Somes
Ezekiel Danford Jonathan Smith Elisha Cummins
6$ men in all
There is eight wanting of the number required, which are
from Leavitts town two from Tamworth two from Middletown
three from Sandbornton one — The reasons are as follows viz.
Leavitts town having no officers nor selectmen nor Committee
of Safety I applied to Tho s Parsons Esq who said that they were
so exposed being the frontier town that he thought it would not
be safe to spare any men out of that towm, and did not think he
could possibly raise any
The Cap* of Tamworth writes to me that the state of their
town is that they have fourteen men now in the service and but
twelve men at home fit for duty but with great difficulty he has
obtained one man who appeared on muster day but on hearing
his complaint and the Captains Letter by advice of Deac Knowles
the muster master I Released him
The selectmen of Middletown were desired to Raise five men
that being their proportion and they made return that there
were so many of their men now in the service that they had
done all in their power and could raise but three men and on
muster day one of the selectmen came with two of the men and
said that the third was taken sick and like to remain so there
was but two mustered
The Cap 1 of Sandbornton says that they have twenty six men
now in the service but notwithstanding he raised the men sent
for but Col Walker the muster master put by one by reason he
was so small and the Captain prays he may be excused from
raising another to supply his place by reason it would be attend-
ed with so much difficulty
Col 1 Evans Taxed me Publickly at Concord for obtaining an
order for my men to march by misrepresenting the number of
my Company but if I did it was what was Impossible for any
one to avoid for if I remember I wrote that my Company would
consist of Between fifty and sixty men and at that time I had
Return of five men from Wakefield five from New Durham,
one from Middletown and one from Tamworth, that they would
appear on muster day but afterwards ten of them enlisted with
Cap* Drew and one proved sick and one I released which no
man could foresee which twelve men added to forty four now
gone would make fifty six which would I think agree very near
with what I wrote Notwithstanding all Col 1 Evans parade
8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
about the superiority of his Regiment' and of the ancient town
of Dover when we mett at Concord it was in the power of my
men to have chosen every officer but when the Cap* was chose
I spoke to my men and desired that they would consent that
Col 1 Evans 8 men should Nominate the two Lieutenants which
they unanimously agreed to had Col 1 Evans 9 men been more
in numbers than mine I believe it is the opinion of the Gentle-
men spectators that he would not have advised as I did. I would
not have been so troublesome but as my Character Laboured I
thought it necessary to sett the matter clear
I am your Honours most ob l Hum 1 SeiV
Joseph Badger
To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Colony
of New hampshire
[Ibid, p. 27.] [Roll of Officers in Col. Badger's Reg't, 1776.]
[Col. Badger's Tenth Regiment, as returned by him in
1776, was composed of the following companies:]
Field Officers
Joseph Badger Esq Colonel Ebenezer Smith Esq Lieu* Colonel
Vacant First major Bradbury Richardson Esq second major
First Company in Gilmantown — Officers
Captain First Lieut. Second Lieut.
Nathaniel Wilson Joseph Philbrick Daniel Stevens
Ensign Jonathan Clark
Second Company in Wolfsborough not yet returned
Third Company in Sandbornton
Chase Taylor Josiah Sanborn Jacob Smith James Gibson
Fourth Company in Meredith
Joshua Chrockitt John Kimball William Ray Robert Bryant
Fifth Company in Barnstead
Richard Sinkler Jonathan Emerson Samuel Pittman
Benjamin Nutter
Sixth Company in Moultonborough
Nathaniel Ambrose John Adams William Plaistead
Joseph Richardson
GILMANTON. 9
Seventh Company in New Durham
Robert Boody Shadrach Allard Thomas French John Glidden
Eighth Company in Sandwich
Daniel Beede Ju r Joshua Prescott Josiah Bean Jacob Weed
Ninth Company in Middletown vacant
Tenth Company in Wakefield vacant
Eleventh Company in Leavitts town vacant
Twelfth Company in Gilmantown
John Moodey Samuel Ladd Simeon Bean Noah Dow
Thirteenth Company in Tamworth
Stephen Mason Jonathan Choat John Fowler
Jonathan Burgees
Fourteenth Company in the Gore [now Alton]
Joseph Robards Ephraim Chamberlain John Glidden
Timothy Davis
Dated at Gilmantown march y e 5 th A : D : 1776
Joseph Badger Colonel
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives
for the Colony of New Hampshire.
[R. 2-19] \_Gilmanton Soldiers' Oi'ders and Receipts. ~\
Gilmanton march 17 th 1783 Received of the Town of Gil-
manton Twelve pound Lawful money It being In full for my
part of my Husband Nehemiah Leavitts wages For one year
who Is a Soldier In the Continental army For said Town I say
Received by me From the 13 th Day of Febr y 1783
her
Sarah X Leavitt
mark
Test Benj a Sias Edw d Gilman J r
To the Treasurer for the State of New Hampshire for the
time being please to pay unto the Select men of the town of Gil-
mantown the whole of the wages Due to me for my Service in
the Continental Army the Last year for said Town it being for
value Received of said Town
Ammi Choat
Gilmantown March y e 21 st 1782.
10 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[The following soldiers order their wages to be paid to
the town :
Benj a Libbey, for six months in 1781.
Jonathan Taylor, for six months in 1 78 1 .
Joseph Morrill, for six months in 1781.
John Cotton, for six months in 1 78 1 .]
[R. 2-20]
[Samuel Saunders orders his wages to be paid to Jn° Nich-
olls ; John Taylor orders his to be paid to Joseph Badger;
Mar)' Parry orders the wages due her, as heir to her son,
Samuel Parry, deceased, to be paid to Benning Pickering,
and the selectmen certify that she is heir to said Samuel]
[4-90 \_Return of Ratable Polls, iy8j.~\
State of New Hamp*
In the House of Representatives Nov r 5 th 17S3.
Voted, That the Selectmen of each Town & Place within this
State be directed to return under oath to the Assembly of this
State at their next Session the exact number of Male Polls from
twenty one years of Age & upwards paying for themselves a
Poll Tax within the said Towns and Places in Order to appor-
tion the Representation of this State according to the new Con-
stitution —
sent up for concurrence
John Dudley Speak r
In Council the same Day Read & concurred.
E. Thompson Sec ry
a True Copv
Attest" E Thompson Se r >'
No 252 Polls In the Town of Gilmantown Paying for them-
selves a Poll Tax in the year 17S3 — being the age of Twenty
One Years —
Gilmantown December the 12 17S3
Edward Gilman ) Selectmen of
Joseph Parsons ) Gilmantown
state of Newhampshirc Strafford ss —
Gilmantown. Decern 1 " y e 13 th 17S3
Then the above Named Edward Gilman and Joseph Par-
sons Personally appearing made solemn oath that the account
GILMANTON. 1 1
of the Number of Polls in the Town of Gilmantown by them
Exhibited as above is Just and true according to the best of their
Judgment sworn before Joseph Badger Justice of Peace
[4-91] [Petition for a Magistrate, l?88.~]
To His Excellency the President of the state of New hamp-
shire and Honour ble the Council of s d state the Petition, of us
Inhabitants of the town of Gilmantown, —
Humbly sheweth — that the town, of Gilmantown, is a Large
tract of Land as Large as three six mile towns and that the
southeast part of said town are fully settled with Inhabitants
and that there is no Justice of the Peace within about five miles
of them, and it would be very Convenient to have one in that
part of the town, Your petitioners therefore pray Your Excel-
lency and Honours that Cap* Joseph Parsons may be appointed
to that office he being in our opinion, a suitable person for the
office and Lives in the most Convenient place to serve the peo-
ple of that part of the town, and Your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound shall Ever pray &c
Dated at Gilmantown, Decern 1 " y e 22 d 178S
David Bean Noah Dow Charles Rundlet
Joseph Huckins Jun r John Nelson Samuel Greely
Robert Rogers Thomas Cogswell Peaslee Badger
Simeon Taylor Robert moulton Daniel Gale
Nathaniel Dow Peter Folsom Antipas Gilman Jur
Joseph Clifford Nath 11 Willson Jonathan Ross
Edward Gilman Ju John Sanborn peter folsom 3
John Gilman Thomas Flanders Ju r
Peter Gilman Simeon Copp
[Joseph Parsons was appointed January 28, 1789. — Ed.]
[4-92] [Petition to have Courts held at JVo?"way Plains,
1789.-]
To His Excellency the President the Hon ble Senate and the
Hon ble the House of Representatives of the state of New
hampshire In General Court Assembled June y e 4 th 1789
The Petition of us the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town
of Gilmantown, in the County of Strafford Humbly sheweth that
all the Courts of said County are now Held at Dover and Dur-
ham, which places are at the Very Lower End of the County
12
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and many of the Inhabitants of the County have to travel from
a Great Distance some fifty and some sixty miles which is a
Great hardship upon the people —
Therefore Your petitioners pray Your Excellency and Hon-
ours that all the Courts of said County may be moved to nor-
way plain, in Rochester in s (l County where we apprehend to
be the most Convenient place as all the Roads seem to Center
there and a Convenient place for publick Buildings and Good
accommodations for the Court
And Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray &c
Joseph Badger
Daniel Grant
Abraham Smith
Benj n W m Dean
Noah Marsh
Jesse Louge
Samuel Brown Jur
Abraham Smith Jur
John thurston
John Sincler
Thomas Hayes
Simeon Taylor
Andrew Page
William Thompson
Joseph Avery
Abner Evens Jur
Nehemiah Louee
Peaslee Badger
Jeremiah Sanborn
Jacob Kelley
Elisha Odlin
Stephen Dudley Jr
Joseph G arm an
Wiggin Taylor
Benjamin Stevens
Jeremiah Morrill
Nicholas Gorden
Jonathan louge
Robert moulton
David Sanborn
Daniel Moulton
moses Page
Jeremiah Gorden
Nathaniel Dow
micajah Kelley
Daniel Gilman Ju r
Simeon Copp
Stephen Gilman
Samuel thurstan
Ephraim Libbee
Benjamin Smith
Nathanael Kimball
Benj n Dow
William Price
William Price jun
John Bond
John Marston
Joseph Clark
alexander Gorden
[On three other petitions of the same date and wording
Ed.]
are the following names
Jacob Currier
Charles Run diet
Joshua Gilman Jr
William Rowell
Stephen Swain
Daniel Gale Jun
Ezekiel Hoit
Zebulon Gilman
Paul Merrill
Joseph Clifford
David Bean
Jonathan Sargent
Simeon Bean
Jacob Rowe
Jacob Tucker
Isaac Currier
Jeremiah Chandler
Mark Emerson
Jonathan flanders
Jotham Gilman
William Rand
Samuel Follett
Peter Gilman
Joshua Gilman
Samuel Dockham
Isaac Batchelder
Stephen Bean
Samuel Mudget
William Casey
James Elkins
John Nelson
James Ladd
Jonathan gilman
John Swain
Joseph Gale
Richard Jones
Joseph Huckins
Nicholas Gilman
William Nelson
John Bean Ju
Jonathan Dow
Benjamin Pain
Dudley Hutchinson
John Swett
John elkins
GILMANTON.
13
Sam 1 Fifield
Jacob Gale
Jeremiah Richeson Joshua Bradford
Peter folsom Jonathan Elkins
BartholomewGilman Joseph Richardson
John Weeks
William Dame
Samuel maxfeald
David Folsom
Scribner Mudgit
David Fifield
Ebenezer Stevens
Perkins Dow
William Louge
Dudley Gilman
Peter Dudley
David meeder
Ebenezer Page
Winthrop Giluman
Samuel Smith
Micajah Morrill
Jude Bean
Jeremiah Connor
W m Smith
Dudley Milman
Paul Bickford
John Parsons
Enoch Hunt
Samuel Prescott
Samuel, Clough
Nath 11 webster
Samuel F. Gilman
Samuel Blasdel
Abel Hunt
Stephen Leavitt
Samuel Ladd
William Bennet
Jacob Jewett
Nathaniel Gale
John Sanborn
Charles Currier
Jeremy Connor
Dudley Gilman
Samuel Gilman Jr
David Clough
Joseph Richardson
John Lang Weeks
Caleb James
Daniel folsom
Joseph Morrill
Matthias Weeks
Bezaleel Beede
Samuel Osgood
John fifield
Peter Bean
william Edwards
Joseph Huckins Jun
Jonathan Ross
Stephen Dudley
Ezekiel Edgerly
Hibbard Morrill
Samuel Greeley
Joseph young
Zebediah Wattson
Ebenezr Page Jr
Joseph young Ju r
Antipas Gilman
Samuel Gilman
Dudley Prescott
Israel Farrar
Nath 1 Wilson
Ruben osGood
Thomas Flanders Ju r
Samuel Tilton
Lowel Sanborn
Philbrick Row
Levi Gilman
Stephen Gale
Samuel Jewett
Samuel Jewet
David Page
John Shepard
John Bean
Jonathan Gilman Ju
Stephen prescutt
Jonathan Folsom
Jeremi Richardson
Jur
Benjamin Weeks
Thomas Sewall
Jonathan Morrison
Daniel Rowell
Nathan Heart
Nathaniel Gilman
Benjamin Richardson
Thomas morill
wintrip Barret
Matthias Weeks Ju
Elish Sweat
Joseph Jones
Nathaniel Tilton
Caleb Bean
Noah Dow
Israel French
John Dudley
Dudley Young
Jeremy Cogswell
Ira kimball
Edward Gilman Ju
Timothy Smith
Isaiah Clough
Joshua Bangs
Thomas Gilman
Jonathan Nelson
Jonathan Gilman
John moody
Ephraim Bickford
James Chase
Abner Clough
John Tilton
Josiah Rundlett
Benjamin thurstan
Jacob Rundlet
Malachi Daveis
John Gilman Jun r
John Mash
John Waclleigh
Jona flagg
thomas foster
William Parsons Jr
Jonathan Prescott
Jonathan Rundlet
John Bradbury
Eben r Eastman
Benj n Richardson
Samuel Young
John Edgerly
Simeon Hoyt
14 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
wintrop Gilman Jonathan Thing winthrop Thing
John Bennet jun* Noah Weeks Jabez James
John Folsom Nath Weeks Josiah Weeks
Benja Bodge Jeduthan farrar Jonath Edwards
William Morrison Samuell Clark Enoch Clark
Joseph Badger 3 d Robert Morrison George Wamouth
Joshua Mudget Simeon Mason Levi Bean
Edward Bean Saml Ames
[4-96] [Action of Town relative to Gilmanton Academy,
I 79 2.-\
At a Legal Town meeting held by the freeholders and other
Inhabitants of Gilmanton on Thursday the Eighth day of March
1792—
Voted to Choose a Committee to Consist of Twenty men to
take under their Consideration the appropriating the School
Right in said Town for a Publick Academy to be set up in
some Convenient place in said Town and to make report at the
adjournment of this present meeting —
Co 1 Antipas Gilman Mj r Samuel Ladd Thomas Cogswell Esq r
L* Samuel Folsome Gilman D r Jonathan Hill Co 1 Badger Col
Greeley Capt Joseph young Thomas Taylor Benj a Weeks Esq r
William Price Joseph Parsons Esq r Hon Joseph Badger Esq r
John Shepard Esq r L* Dudley Thing Josiah Avery Micajah
Morrill Moses Page Rev d M r Smith and M r Powers were Chos-
en for the above Committee
Voted to adjourn this present meeting to the first monday in
May Next at Two of the Clock in the afternoon
Monday May 7 th 1792 pursuant to the adjournment met
Voted to Except the Committes Report respecting the appro-
priating the School Right to the benefit of an Academy in said
Town and is as follows —
April 19 th 1792
at a meeting of the Committee to Consider of the propriety
and advantage of Establishing an Academy in Gilmanton
Voted I st that it is the sense of the Committee that establishing
an Academy in this Town would be useful to the Inhabitants
and beneficial to the Publick —
2 Xy Voted as it has been Represented to the Committee that
the value of five Hundred pounds would be subscribed by Indi-
viduals for the above purpose therefore under these Consider-
ations We the major part of your Committee do agree and it is
our Opinion that the appropriation of the School Right towards
s
a
o
U
GILMANTON. 1 5
Establishing an Academy in this Town would be agreable to
the Spirit of the Charter and the design of Goverment and there-
fore that it ought to be appropriated accordingly
Isaac Smith W m Price Joseph young
Micajah Morrill Antipas Oilman Thomas Cogswell
Samuel Greeley Joseph Badger Ju r Walter Powers
Moses Page Benj a Weeks Joseph Badger
Dudley Thing Samuel Ladd Joseph Parsons
John Shepard
upon the Towns voteing to receive the above Report of the
Committee Respecting the School Right in Gilmanton, voted
that the whole of said Right, Excepting the Northwest half part
of the first Division forty acre Lot which is reserved for Public
uses be Given and Granted forever hereafter for the benefit and
Support of an academy in said Town of Gilmanton when ever
there shall be a Sufficient fund subscribed to Set up the same
attest W m Smith Town Clerk
At a Legal Town meeting held by the freeholders and other
Inhabitants of Gilmanton on Monday the 27 th Day of Inst,
(meaning) August 1792
Voted to Choose a Committe to consist of Seven men to take
the Charge of the Right of Land voted at the last Town meet-
ing for the use of an Academy in Said Town and to apply to
the General Court to procure an act for Incorporation and to
open a Subscription for the benefit of said Academy
Hon. Joseph Badger Esq 1 " Co 1 Ebenezer Smith Co 1 Samuel
Greeley Joseph Parsons Esq r Co 1 Antipas Gilman Thomas
Cogswell Esq r and Joseph Badger Ju r Esq 1 " were Chosen for the
above Committee
attest W m Smith Town Clerk
At the annual Town meeting held by the freeholders and
other Inhabitants of Gilmanton March 14 th 1793
voted that the proposed Academy shall be set on Co 1 Badgers
Land within Thirty Rods of the School House by Huckins 8
Brook so Called —
voted to adjourn said meeting to Monday 25th of March In-
stant at one oClock P M —
March 25 th Met according to adjournment
The vote that was passed fixing the place where the proposed
Academy should Set is voted to be reconsidered
Voted that a meeting be Called by the Selectmen and be
Seasonably Notified to be held on the first Monday in Septem-
ber to determine where the proposed Academy Shall set
Attest Joseph Parsons Town Clerk
1 6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
At a Legal meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitants
of Gilmanton on Monday the Second day of September 1793
voted that the proposed Academy shall be Erected on Joseph
Badger Jun r Esq r Land near Huckis s Brook within fifty Rods
of the School House
attest Joseph Parsons Town Clerk
[4-97] \_TJ10mas Cogswell to Hon. Ablel Foster relative to
the Academy.~\
Amherst 14 th June 1794 —
Sir—
The duties of mv Office require my attendance on Tuesday
next, at Moultonborough, Eighty or ninety Miles from this
place — Since I was before the Hon 1 Senate a Doubt has arisen,
whither the Land voted by the Town, of Gilmanton for the use
of an Academy, can be holden for the use of Such an institu-
tion ; If it should turn out that they cannot be holden, there
would be a great impropriety in the vote of the Town carrying
so large a feature in the Act — What amendments the Hon le Sen-
ate may propose — I shall be so unfortunately situated, as not to
know at present — under these circumstances. If my Proposals
of amendment should not meet the approbation of" the Hon le
Senate, & no relieaf granted, I must, under all circumstances
request the Hon le Senate to Postpone the Bill until the next
Session of the Gen 1 Court — Perhaps before that time we shall
compromise & Settle the matter, which at present appears to
be in dispute between us —
I am Sir with much etseem Yours &c —
Hon 1 Abiel Foster
Thomas Cogswell-
[4-9S] \_Tho/nas Cogswell to Hon. Joint Prentice, relative
to the Academy. ~\
Amherst June 12 th 1794 —
Sir
it often happens that a Citizen doing Business with the Leg-
islative Body of the State is under the Necessity through you
to Communicate his Sentiments on a Subject that is not only
interesting to himself but the public, under these circumstances
I trust it will be a Sufficient appoligy for me to request you to
lay before the Representative Body of this State the following
Sentiments — Viz. — Sometime Since the Town of Gilmantown
appointed Joseph Badger Esq and others a Committee to open
GILMANTON. 1 7
a Subscription for the Benefit of an Accademy in Said Town,
and to apply for an Act of incorporation early in this Session a
Petition was prefer' d to this Honerable Body for an Act of in-
corporation of an Accademy in Said Town and an Order of
this Court Issued with Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The Act for that purpose now under consideration contains a
Clause fixing the place of said Accademy in Said Town which
to me appears to exceed the power of the Committee or agents
from the Town. — to exceed the request of the Petitioners, to
Exceed the Order of Court thereon and is difFerant from any
other grant of this kind, known in the Union — it will have a
tendency (if So continued) to enhance the Board of pupils and
many ways discourage and hinder the increase and prosperity
of Such a Semminary of Learning — under these considerations,
I Flatter myself it will be considered when I Suggest the Idea
of the Clause fixing the Accademy at a Certain place to be
Struck out, that I have no other view than the General Good —
I am Sir
with Every Sentiment of Esteem
your Most Obe* hum 1 Servant
Thomas Cogswell
The Hon ble John Printis Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives Stat N Hampshire
[4-99
To the Honourable the senate and House of Representatives
for said state Humbly shew
We the subscribers agents appointed by the Town of Gilman-
ton, to apply to the General Court for an Incorporation of an
academy in Gilmanton, we therefore pray Your Honours that
an act of the General Court may be Passed for the establish-
ment of said academy with Powers and privileges Enjoyed by
other academys in said state and Your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound shall Ever pray &c
Dated at Gilmanton, May y e 5 th 1794
Joseph Badger Eben r Smith Antipas Gilman
Samuel Greeley Joseph Parsons Thomas Cogswell
Joseph Badger Jr
[Gilmanton Academy was incorporated June 20, 1794,
with the following gentlemen as trustees : Hon. Joseph
Badger, Rev. Isaac Smith, Rev. Joseph Woodman, Rev.
Jedediah Tucker, Rev. Simon Fenley Williams, Joseph Bad-
ger, Jr., Thomas Cogswell, Ebenezer Smith, Joseph Parsons,
and Samuel Greeley. The institution has been successful,
and numbers many eminent men among its alumni. — Ed.]
4
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
GILSUM
This town was granted December 28, 1752, to Joseph
Osgood and others, by the name of Boyle. None of these
grantees ever settled in the town, probably on account of
the depredations of the Indians, and the grant was forfeited.
It was regranted July 13, 1763, to Samuel Gilbert and
others. Said Gilbert and Thomas Sumner were prominent
in procuring the grant. Their families were connected by
marriage, and the town was named by taking the first sylla-
ble of each name and coining the word Gilsum.
Jonathan Bliss and Josiah Kilburn were the first settlers,
in 1762. March 9, 1769, the west part of the town was set
off, and, with a portion of Westmoreland, incorporated into
the town of Surry.
September 27, 1787, the south-east part of the town was
set off, joined with portions of Keene, Stoddard, and Pack-
ersfield (Nelson), and incorporated into the town of Sullivan.
A dispute relative to the boundary line between this town
and Stoddard was settled by an act passed June 27, 1797,
by which the " curve line of Mason's Patent" was made the
dividing line of the two towns, and Gilsum lost another tract
of land.
In 1873 a few acres of land were taken from Sullivan and
annexed to this town.
Every man in town signed the "Association Test," and
the town did its full share in the Revolutionary war and in
the suppression of the Southern Rebellion.
Among the prominent men of the town was Hon. George
W. Hammond, for many years an eminent physician. He
was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850,
member of the state senate in 1855-56, and died January
30, 1872, at the age of 70 years.
[4-1 11] [Petition for a Grant of the Township* 1752. ~]
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Gov 1- of the Prov-
ince of New Hampshire &c.
Humbly Shews —
The Petition of William Lawrence of Groton & Thomas
Read ofWestford in the Province of the Massa tts That they to-
gether With fifty Six more of their Neighbours Are desireous
GILSUM. 19
of Setling a township in the Province of New Hampshire many
of them not Having a Sufficiency of Lands in the Massachusetts
to Employ them Selves in Husbandry And haveing Account of
a tract of Land Yet ungranted by Your Excellency, that we
Apprehend is Capable of Setlement. (which Lyes Northerly of
the Upper Ashuelot and Westmoreland and Easterly from Wale-
pool Adjoyning to those towns, and Extends Eastward to make
the Contents of Six miles Square) and in case we may Obtain
the favour of your Excellency in making us a grant on y e Con-
ditions, Other of his Majestys Lands there are Granted, Shall
make a Spedy & Effectuall Setlement there
Wherefore we pray that y r Excellency would See meet to fa-
vour us with Liberty to Survey the Same Under your directions,
And that we may Obtain a Grant Accordingly And as in Duty
bound Shall pray &c
Groton March 16 : 1752 William Lawrence
Thomas Read
[4-1 10] [Petition to have the Charter lengthened out, iy6j.~\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq 1- Gov 1- & Com-
mander in Chief in and Over his Majesty's Province of New
Hamp r and To the hon ble his Majesty's Council for Said Prov-
ince
The memorial of Thomas Sumner in Behalf of himself &
Others Prop" in the Town of Boyle in Said Province, Shews
That in the Year 1752 Your Excel! 7 & Honors Granted the
Township of Boyle upon the Conditions & under the restric-
tions as Per Charter Declar'd —
That by the Intervention of the Late War your Memorialist' 6
Constituents have been (till Very Lately) Prevented from Doing
the Duty, but Notwithstanding they have Sever'd & Drawn by
Lotts the Said Tract of Land to & among all the Prop rs , that
Many of Your Memorialists Constituents are now Actually Liv-
ing with their familys on S d Tract of Land & Many More Going
Early In the Spring & there are Now Many Acres of Wheat
Sowd there & In all Probability the Township Will be Intirely
Settled According to the True & Intent & Meaning of the Grant
by Next Summer But as the Time Prefix'd in the Grant Was
Elaps'd & that Before it Was Possible (for the reason afores d )
for 'em To Enter & Improve, they Conceive it Absolutely Nec-
essary that Your Excell y & Honors (if you think fit) Sho d Grant
a Suspension of the forfeiture & further indulge 'em with Such
a Term of time as they may be Enabled to fulfill the Duty afore-
said & are Encouraged to Ask the fav r Because your Exc y &
20 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
honors are Wonted To Endulge Prop rs in the Like Circumstan-
ces & Your Memorialist Shall Ever pray —
Jan- V 24 1763. Tho 8 Sumner
[The foregoing petition was granted by a regrant of the
township by the name of Gilsum, July 13, 1763. — Ed.]
[4-109] [Relative to Boundary Line between this town and
Stoddard. ,]
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq re Cap* General Gov-
ernor & Commander in Chief in & Over his Majesty's Prov-
ince of New Hamp r The Hon ble his Majestys Council for Said
Province —
The Memorial of Sampson Stoddard & Jonathan Blanchard
for themselves & Others Prop rs of a Tract of Land Called Mo-
nad 1 " N° 7, in Said Province Shew
That on the 13 th day of July 1763 his Majesty by his Letters
Patent under the Seal of Said Province Granted a Tract of Land
of the Contents of About Seven Miles Square to Samuel Gil-
bert Esq r & Others by the Name of Gilsum That a Considera-
ble part was Laid out (as We apprehend By Mistake) within
Masons Patent So Called Long Since Granted, to us & asociates
That the Grantees of Said Gilsum have faild Making any Set-
tlement on any part So falling within Masons Claim that to pre-
vent Disputes Between his Majestys Good Subjects We pray
that We May be Allow d to Improve our Lands as far West as
the Patent Line afores d for the Benefit of our Selves & Fam-
ilys — without Any Interuption from the Grantees of Gillsom &
We as In Duty bound shall Ever pray —
Sampson Stoddard
Portsm July 13, 176S — Jon a Blanchard
[The foregoing was granted. See introduction. — Ed.]
[4-108] [Relative to Gen. James Reed, I775'~\
To the respectable Body of Delegates Assembled in Provin-
cial Congress at Exeter in New Hampshire — The Petition of a
Considerable number of the Inhabitants of Said Province.
Humbly Sheweth — That your Petitioners are Strongly at-
tached to the true Interest, welfare and safety of this their native
Country, and arc willing to Exert themselves to the utmost in
GILSUM. 21
the Defence of their Just and Constitutional rights and Privi-
ledges and imagine that any man or Bodies of men who en-
deavor to wrest them from us ought to be anathematized —
It is real anxiety and concern for our Distressed Country,
which causes us thus to trouble you at this time, Your Petition-
ers apprehend (not that we would Presume to Dictate) that all
Persons who have in any measure or Degree Discovered them-
selves inimical to those Persons, (who have from the first rise
of the Controversy Betwixt Great Brittain and the Colonies, ap-
proved themselves to their Fellow Countrymen true and Disin-
terested Patriots, or those who have Derided and Set at nought
the Proceedings and resolutions of the united Wisdom of the
Colonies in the Late Continental Congress) ought not to Sustain
any Office, Either Civil or military in this Critical conjuncture
of affairs — Upon a review of these Sentiments, we were not a
Little Surprised to here that James Reed Esq of Fitzwilliam
was not only in nomination but Actually Appointed a Com-
mander of a Regiment in the Army to be raised for Defending
those rights and Immunities which, by some past Conduct we
have reason to think were not very highly Esteemed by him ; it
is truely painfull for us, thus to Impeach the Character of a re-
puted Gentleman, much more that, of one who otherwise is
really so ; yet we imagine the Exigency of our affairs will in a
Great Measure, if not altogether, attone for Such a Measure of
Proceedure, — We Earnestly Desire that neither he or any other
Person (who have not Approved, themselves Steady and real
Friends to the Great and Glorious Cause in which we are En-
gaged) Should be Promoted Either in the Civil or Military
Lists, Gentlemen Your Influence in this matter will Oblige
Thousands besides Your Humble Servants
May S th 1775 Jonathan Smith
Joshua Darte
thos Darte Ebenezer Dewey Ebenezer Dewey ju
Gershom Crocker John Row J°hn Row jun r
Pelatiah Pease John Chapman Thomas Harvey
Josiah Goldsmith
[4-107] ^Relative to a Wire Factory, iy/6.~\
To the Honorable Council and house of Representitves of the
Colony of New Hampshire.
The Petetion of Joel Kilbourn of Gillsum in said Colony
Humbly Sheweth Whereas Your Petetionor being Desirous to
Carry on the Business of Makeing Wire and having found by
Experience that he can make any Size of iron Wire to Good
Perfection yet not being able to Set up the Works unless said
22 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Wire is Sold at much Grater Price than usal — Therefore Hum-
bly Desires Your Honours to take the matter into Consideration
and if in Your Wisdom You think Proper to Encourage Said
Manafacture by Allowing- Your Petitioner a Sum that may En-
able him to Set up s' 1 works he will Engage to Sell Said Wire
as Cheap as Possable he Being Desireous to Serve the publick
in the Best Manner he is able for Which Great Liberality tow-
ards him and the Public your Petitioner as in Duty bound Shall
Ever pray —
Gillsum May 24 th 1776 Joel Kilburne
We the Subscribeis being Desireous that the Manufacture of
makeing Wire may be Set up and being Acquainted with the
ingenuity and fidelity of the Petitioner by his Desire have Set
our Names here to Stephen Griswold | ^
Ebenezer Dewey j\
Pelatiah Pease
Signers in Keen
Ephraim Dorman Tho s Baker James Hunt
Tho s Wells J onn Houghton Benj a Hall
Elijah Blake Achilles Mansfield Silas Cook
Benj Archer Rob* Gillmor Israel Houghton
Eliph* Briggs Joseph Blake Daniel Kingsbury
Josiah Richardson William woods Simeon Washburn
:■}
[4-103] [Relative to Collection of Taxes, iy82.~\
Cheshire ss June 7 th 17S2
Then Personally appeared James Roe Constable for the
Town of Gilsum for the Year 1780 and to whom a Warrant was
directed and delivered for Collecting the Quota of Continental
Money for said Town of Gilsum, assessed upon said Town
agreeable to an Act passed the Gen 1 Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire March 15th 17S0, for calling in the s d States quota or
Proportion of the Bills of Credit emitted by the Continental
Congress, and after being Carefully examined and cautioned to
testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth made
Oath, that the enclosed Continental Currency counted by, and
told by me amounting in the whole to seven hundred and twelve
dollars and four shillings was taken and received, the same
Identical Money upon the Rate to me delivered, and upon s d
Warrant, before the twenty seventh day of June 17S1 and is part
of the said Roes collection on said Warrant and none of said
Monev was received after the said twenty seventh day of June
Tho a Baker Just Peac e
GILSUM. 23
[4-104] [Return of Ratable Rolls, 1^84.']
Surry 23 d March 1784
To Nath 1 S Prentice Esq 1 " — Representative for Alstead Surry &
Marlow
Sir from the principle Inhabitants of Gilsom the Town Class d
with Surry we are certified that there is Sixty Eight Male polls
paying Each One a poll Tax for himself within there Town
which you may venture to certify to the Gen 1 Court at your
Option Lem 11 Holmes Town Clark Surry
[4-io5]
The legal Voters of the town of Gilsum that are quallefied
acording to law to vote for representation are 71
Dated at Gilsum Levi Bliss \ Select
March 26 th 1784 Ebenezer Church j Men
[4-106] \_Petition for a New Tozvn.^
Cheshire ss State of New Hampshire
To the Town of Packerfield in said county the Petetion of us
the Subscribers Humbly Sheweth —
That Whereas your humble petetioners Living in the most
Remote Corners of the Several Towns viz the Northeast Corner
of Keen the Southeast Corner of Gillsom and the South west
Corner of Stoddard many of us living Six or Seven miles from
publick Worship and the roads being exceding bad and by rea-
son of many inconveniences we labour under on that Account —
we therefore humbly pray that the Town of Packerfield would
take our Circumstances into Consideration and insert an Article
in the Warrant or Notification of your next Annual meeting to
Se if it be the minds of the Town to Set off Some part of your
Town viz from the Northwest Corner East Two Miles and
South two Miles and half that so with the Corners of the Above
mentioned adjoining Towns we should be able to form a Dis-
tinct Town — which Request if Granted we your Humble pete-
tioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray —
To the Hon Select men of the Town of Packerfield
Jonathan Burnam John Rowe Timothy Dewey
Thomas Morse William Burnam Samuel Seward
Oliver Carter Ezra Osgood Timothy Dimock
24 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nathan Bolster Nathan Ellis Simeon Ellis
Benj u Ellis Jonathan Horton Josiah Seward
Joseph Ellis Joshua Osgood Ezra Metcalf
Zadock Nims Eliakim Nims David Rugg
Rosvvell Hubbard Erastus Hubbard James Lock
Ebenezer Birdet James Rowe
Packersfield march y e 29 th 1786
Voted to aloue the within Protision
Provided that the other Parts Jenly and Severly Jone togather
Consider osgood ) Select
[4-102] [Certificate of Vote of Town, 1787.']
Gilsum Sep* 10 th AD 1787
This may Certify the Honourable General Court of the State
of Newhampshire Next to be holden at Charlestown That at A
Legal town Meeting- of the inhabitants of Gilsum holden in said
town the first Day of December Last the third article in the
Warrant for Said Meeting Being to Se if the town would take
any method to oppose the East Part of the town Being Set off
Passed in the Negative it Being the Last time that any Article
has Been inserted in any Warrant for That purpose —
A true Coppy
Attest Timothy Dewey T. Clerk
[4-101]
Gilsum December I st 17S6
This may Certify the Honourable general Court of this State
that the town of Gilsum Have Been Servd with a Coppy of the
petition and order of Court thereon with Regard to Being incor-
porated into a Distinct town when Connected with a part of
stoddard keene and packersfield agreeable to a petition sent to
the honourable Court the Last sessions —
Jonathan Adams | Select
Ebenezer Bill j men
[The south-east corner of the town was set off, and, with
portions of Stoddard, Nelson, and Keene, incorporated into
the town of Sullivan by an act passed Sept. 27, 1787. — Ed.]
GOFFSTOWN.
25
\_JVon- Resident Land-Owners, 1793. ~]
[An inventory of Gilsum, certified May 30, 1793, by Za-
doc Hurd and Robert Lane Hurd, selectmen, and sworn to
before David Blish, gives the following non-resident land-
owners. — Ed.]
Josiah Kilburn
John Biggelow
Jonathan Loveland
Noah Beebe
Uriah How
Nathan Hay ward
Eliphelet Dart
Samuel Gilbert's heirs
Philip Munro
Levi Blood
Jobe Gleason
Oliver Prime
John Boyinton
Moses D. Field
Jonathan Smith
Benony Olcutt
Jonathan Ramont
Abel Allen
Isaak Hammond
Woolston Brockway
Unprey Lion
Joseph Sibley
GOFFSTOWN.
The township was granted by the Masonian proprietors in
1748 to Rev. Thomas Parker, of Dracut, Mass., and others.
It took its name from Col. John Goffe, and in the act of in-
corporation it is given " GofFs Town."
It was incorporated June 16, 1761, by the governor and
council of New Hampshire, to continue a corporate body
until March 25, 1763 ; and April 5, 1763, the incorporation
was revived, to continue "until we shall please to approve or
disallow the same."
July 2, 1822, a portion of the town was taken, and, with
portions of Dumbarton and Chester, incorporated into the
town of Hooksett.
June 20, 1825, some islands in Merrimack river were an-
nexed to the town.
June 18, 1836, the farm of Isaac Parker was severed from
New Boston, and annexed to this town.
The line between Dunbarton and GofTstown was estab-
lished by an act passed Jan. 7, 1853.
July 1, 1853, a portion of Goffstown was annexed to Man-
chester, the town previously extending to the Merrimack
river.
26 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-1 1 2] [Relative to Church Matters '•]
County of Hillsborough Province of New Hampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Cap 1 General &
Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire, and to the Honorable his Majesties Coun-
cil, and House of Representatives
We his Majesties loyal Subjects, living in the town of Goffs-
town in S d Province, beg leave to offer to your Excellency &
Honors our Remonstrance against the Petition of a Number of
the Inhabitants of S d town, who call themselves Presbyterians,
and who have prayed your Excellency & Honors to set them of
as a distinct Parish — and to be invested with priviledges as
such.
We humbly beg leave to inform your Excellency & Honors,
that the Town of Goffstown is by no means at present able to
Support two Ministers of the Gospel, and the Salary which
they now give is very Small, by reason of their incapacity ; as
was said when voted & therefore voted part to be paid in labour
& in the Necessaries of Life, the town Subsists of about ninety
Families ; Some of which are under very poor Circumstances,
not able to raise their own Bread Corn — or Scarcly to clothe
themselves and Children in any comfortable & decent Manner.
And the town Considering the illconveniences which would
unavoidably arise from their Being at present, in theii* weak
Circumstances set of into two distinct Parishes, proposed &
offered at a legal town Meeting, to those who were inclining to
be Presbyterians — that if they would assist & dwell together in
Love as becometh people professing Godliness — when ever it
should be supposed by reasonable & indifferent Persons, that
the town was able in a decent Manner to support two Ministers
— they would assist them hi building a Meeting as far as they
had already assisted in building the present One. this proposal
was rejected by them —
We would likewise beg leave to acquaint your Excellency &
Honors that some of the Petitioners who want to be erected into
a distinct Parish in Goffstown, were never Inhabitants of S d
town, neither were ever rated in S d town Some of those which
live in S d town were never educated, in what they call the
Presbyterian Wav, but thro' the importunity of others were
perswaded to jovn them
It is likewise certain that a learge Number of them have had
their Children baptized by congregational Ministers & without
the leasl dissatisfaction —
therefore we pray your Excellency & Honors to consider our
Circumstances, and how unhappy we should be, if made into
GOFFSTOWN.
27
two distinct Parishes — neither Parish would be able to support a
gospel Minister among them, & of consequence both must be
destute — and being bound in Duty Shall Ever pray
Ebenezer Wood
Benjamin Richards
Joseph Sanders
Jonas Hestins
Benjamin Stevens
juner
Timothy farrain
Hannary Dow
Samuel Sanders
Benj Tiffany
Sam Blodget
Aaron wells
Jonathan Martain
Thomis Stevens
his
Richard -|- Colby
mark
Richard Collins
Joshua Martain
Moses Littel
John Sargant
Andrew Kimbal
Joseph Hadley
Tho s Huse
Benj. Richards
moses Littel
Tho s Stevens
Jonathan Stevens
Elez : Emerson
Tim y Stevens
Benj. Dow
Jos. Dow
John Smith
Simon Tuttel
Robert -Richardson
Tho s Karr
John Gorge
Jonathan Stevens
Joseph Emons
Joseph Dow juner
Simon Tuttle
Eleezer emmison
Obadiah House
Jothan Tuttle
Benjamin Stevens
Tob Dow
J his
John -|- Colby
mark
Henry Blasdel
moses wells
Joseph O Wady
David Hall
Alex r Walker
John : George
John Clogston
John Hadley
Enoch Page
widow Butterfield
Job dow
Eb r wood
Joseph Littel
Joshua Corles
Eb r Johnson
Jos. Dow Ju r
Jotham Tuttel
Samuel Richai'ds
Hugh macCalley
Jacob Sargaint
Timothy Stevens
James Eaton
Benjamin Dow
Josiah Wood
William Bell
Enoch Page
Joseph Dow
Joseph Little
Thomas Saltmarsh
Philip Noyes
Ezekiel Wells
Moses Wells iur
Job Kider
Elias Sargant
Caleb Kimbal
asa Pettey
John Davis
Philip Ferren
Enoch Eatton
Sam 1 annes
Benj Steven Ju r
Rob 1 " Gillmore
Benj Stevens
Geor : Hadley
Tim y Johnson
Henry Dow
Tim y Ferren
[4-1 14] \ Petition from Presbyterians, IJ7I.~\
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Captain General
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire in N England And to the Hon-
orable his Majestys Council and House of Representatives in
General Assembly convened
The humble Petition of his Majesty's Subjects Inhabitants of
Goffestown and Province aforesaid sheweth
28 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
That your Petitioners most or all of them have been educat-
ed in the Presbyterian persuasion and look on themselves as
bound in conscience still to adhere to the same perswasion
That your Petitioners generally inhabit one part of the said
GorTestown which renders their associating together for public
Worship more convenient
That your Petitioners have had some Supply of Preaching
from the Presbytery to which we are connected and expect
more from time to time and soon to be in a capacity (through
Providential Smiles) to build a Meeting House and settle a
Minister of their own persuasion
May it therefore please your Excellency and Honors impar-
tially to consider the premises and by your Authority to enact
that your Petitioners may be a distinct Society cloathed with
Parish powers that so they may be in a legal Capacity of levy-
ing Parish Charges and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever Pray &c
Dated at GorTestown November 2 d 1 771
William M c Doal Thomas Shirla J°^ n Dinsmore
Alexander Gilchrist John Dunlap Robert Spear
John Gilmore George Adison Sam 1 M c Farland
John Orr James Man* Alexander Kennedy
Daniel M c Farland James M c ferson jun r James M c Ferson
Tho s Miller Daniell Marr James Ban*
Tho 8 Kennedy Robart Kennedy Samuel Kennedy
Wilam M°ferson James Moor George Cunningham
James Ban* jun* Joseph Kennedy David M c Cluer
Silas Walker Alexander M c Coy
John M c ferson Late of Haverhill now of Bedford
William Dunlap Belongs to Chester
John Butterfield Bread a Congregational
Antipas Dodge Bread Congregational
Jn° Little Swore he would do all in his power to Ruen Goffs-
town
Daniel Allen not Rated
David Currier Bread a Congregational
[4-1 15] [Relative to the Settlement of Rev. Mr. Currier. ~\
Whereas there is a Town Meeting Legually Warned to be
held in Goffstown this 15 th Day of July 1 771 , and one of the
Particulars that is Noted in the Warrant to be acted Upon is to
See if the Town will Choose a Committee to Settle M r Currier
as a Gospel Minister, in the Town We the Subscribers Being
Presbyterrians by Profession, and having at Different times
GOFFSTOWN.
2 9
Renewed our Covenant With God and Vowed to him to Main-
tain the Doctrins Discipline and Government of the Church of
Scotland Whereof we Profess our Selves to be Members there-
fore we Do Not as yet See our Selves in Duty Bound to Cast
these our Vows Behind our backs and Settle a Man of Another
Proswasion, and as we Would Not be found Lukewarm and
Indifferent in a Matter of So Great Import We thought to Cer-
tify our Bretheren of this Matter in this Manner
Alex r Gilcrest Thomas Miller John Dinsmoor
Antipas Dodge James Barr Daniel Man-
James Barr Jun r John Todd George Addison
Daniel M c farland William madoel David M c Cluer
Robert Speer James Ferson
Jam 8 Ferson Jun r Sam 11 M c farland
William Ferson
[4-1 16] \_Remonstrance to Mr. Currier's Settlement. ~\
Whereas there is a Town Meeting Legally Warned to be
held in Goffes Town on friday the Thirtieth day this Instent
and the Particulers that is insearted in the warrant to be acted
upon that Day is mostly Concearning Ordaining m r Currier as
a Gospell Minester in the Town and to Do Something more
towards finishing the Meetinghouse, and we whose names are
under written being of a Differant Perswasion and are not De-
tarmined to Settle m r Currier as our Minester therefore we Pro-
test against Every particualer in the fore mentioned warrant as
we are not Determined to act on any thing at that meeting
Neither are we a mind to pay aney part of m r Currier' Rates as
we are Presbytereans by profession
Goffes Town August 21 1771
Will m M c Doel
Alex dr M c Coy
X Daniel Marr
X David M c Cluer
XTho s Smith
John Todd
Xjoseph Kennedy
George Addeson
John Dinsmoor
James Marr
X Daniel M c farland
XAlex dr Gilcrest
Robart Kennedy
James Barr
Xjohn Orr
Xjohn Little
XMathew Kennedy Antipas Dodge
XWill m Kemp XDaniell Allen
James Ferson John Dunlap
Will™ ferson Tho s Kennedy
X Those of this mark were not at the Meeting
A true Copy of Record attest
P r Alex dr Walker
Town Clark
Tho s Shirk
Xjaines Moor
Thorn 5 Miller
Sam 11 M c farland
X Robart Spear
Sam 11 Kennedy
X James Barr Jun r
X James forson Jun r
XSilas Walker
Xjohn Butterfield
Xjohn Seshons
Will m M c Dougall
30 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-1 1 6] [Proceed 'i?igs of Town- Meeting, iyyi.']
Province of New Hamp r
At a meeting Legally warned and held at the Meeting house
in Goft'es Town on Friday the Thirteenth Day of August 1 771
Votted Sam 11 Blodgett Esqr Moderator
Votted That the meeting Be Carried on by a hand Vote
Votted That the Protest Signed by Will™ M c Doel and others
against the Legallety of this Meeting held this Day by vartue of
a warrant Dated August 17 1 77 1 We Look upon it to be of no
Velidety therefore the Signers have a Liberty to Vote this Day
if they think proper for the Several Reasons here after Exprest
firstly Because Sundrey of the names in Said protest Doth not
Appear to the Town they Ever signed Being in number Eigh-
teen. Some of which are Said to be Disartors the names of
those absent are as followeth.
James Moor Daniell Marr David M c Cluer
Daniel M c farland Thomas Smith Alex dr Gilcrest
Robart Spear Joseph Kennedy James Barr Jun r
John Little John Orr James Person Jun r
Mathew Kennedy Silas Walker Will m Kemp
Daniel Allen John Sashons John Buterfield
A true Coppv of Record attest p r
Alex dr Walker Town Clark
[4-^7]
Goffstown may 29 th 1772
This may Certify that I the Subscriber was one of the Select
men for the town of Goffstown for the year 1771 and attended
the Last anual march meeting a Dispute arose concerning the
choice of a moderator and it appears to me that Sam Blodget
Esq 1 " had twentv five voters and m r alex dr Gillcrest had but
Twenty four votes by pole Exclusive of Jonathan Rowell &
John Pettey who ware in my oppinion neigh ther of them Legal
voters
attest
Alex dr Walker James Karr
[4-1 1 S] [Relative to a Dispute at Town-Meeting, 1772.']
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq 1- Captain General Gov-
ernor and commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the same
The Honourable his Majesty's Council and House of Repre-
sentatives for said Province to be convened at Portsmouth in
said Province on Tuesday the 19 th day of May Current
GOFFSTOWN.
31
We the subscribers Inhabitants of Goffstown in the County
of Hillsborough in said Province Humbly Complains
That the Inhabitants of said Goffstown at their last Annual
March Meeting baveing some disputing on the Business of the
day after which the selectmen published who were Legal Vot-
ers according to the Law of said Province After which the
Votes were brought in for a Moderator The Votes were Twen-
ty five for the Honourable Samuel Blodget Esq r and Twenty
Six for Alexander Gillcrest. On which said M r Blodget said
one John Pattee was not a legal Voter (Who had Voted for said
Gillcrest 8 being Moderator) The Selectmen said he was but M r
Blodget Insisted he was not and that his Vote should be thrown
out which was done Then the Votes stood 25 for one and 25
for the other After which M r Blodget pulled a power of Attor-
ney out of his pocket and Read it Given by one job Rowel (who
is since Dead) to his son Jonathan Rowel (a Minor and who
had never been Rated) Impowering said Jonathan to Vote at
said Meeting and M r Blodget insisted that said Jonathan had a
legal right to vote in said meeting by Vertue of said power
Which said Jonathan did and Voted for M r Blodget to be Mod-
erator which turned the Vote in M r Blodgets favour And that
said Pattee was not Allowed to Vote And the said Jonathans
Voteing and Pattee being deprived caused Diferent men to be
chose town officers than would have been By Which means We
humbly conceive we are much Injured and Deprived of our
just and Legal Rights
Wherefore we your Complainants and petitioners Humbly
prays Your Excellency and Honours to take our Case into your
considerations and Grant us such Relief as in your Great Wis-
doms shall seem meet and your Petitioners as in Duty bound
shall ever pray
Dated at Goffestown the 18 th day of May AD 1772
William fearson
David M c Cluer
William madel
Matt w Kennadey
Robert Spear
Antipas Dodge
Silas Walker
Daniel m c farland
Alex r Gilcrest
Dan 11 Marr
James Barr iuner
Tho s Kennedy
John Patee
james ferson
John Dunlap
George Addison
John Dinsmoor
william Dunlap
John Clogston
John Butterfield
David Currier
John Little
James Marr
Alexander m c Cay
Thomas Hadley
Robert Kennedy
John Orr
Asa Pattee
Joseph Kennedy
Sam 11 M c Farland
Thomas Shirla
Daniel Allen
Jeames fearson
Geor Hadley
Thorn 8 Miller
James Moor
James Barr
Samuel Kennedy
George Cunningham
32 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[In council, June 3, 1772, the proceedings of the fore-
going meeting were declared illegal, and a new election
ordered. — Ed.]
[4-1 19] \_Petitio?i for a Lottery to build Bridges over Pis-
cat aquog River, 177 8. ~\
To The Hon ble Councel and House of Representatives of the
good People of y e State of New Ha?npshire in General
Court assembled December J 777
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Goffstown, County of
Hillsborough & State aforesaid and others,
Humbly Sheweth
That, There are two Large Streams, running through said
Town, more Particularly one known by the name of Pis-
cataquog River, which is well known to be wide, and Verry
rapid, at Sertain Seasons, Passing through the Center of said
Town,
That your Petitioners, are under the Necessity of Support-
ing, three Large Bridges, over said River, for the Publick ben-
efit Viz 1 —
I st a bridge near twenty Rods in Length, (verry much Im-
proved) on the great County Road, that Leadeth through
Ware, & c many Different ways, Northerly & Westerly to The
Interior Parts of the State, —
2 d another bridge, near 15 Rods in Length, of great use to
the Publick, & near the Center of the Town that the Major
Part of the Inhabitants are under necesity of crossing it to at-
tend Public Worship —
The Third Bridge is on the North Branch of said River,
Near the Division line, of New Boston & Goffston on the
Leading Road through N. Boston, to the Western Part of the
State—
The other Stream is called Black Brook, large, and verry
rapid at Sertain Seasons, where we are oblidged to Support
three other expensive Bridges, also a large share of Smaller
Bridges, which with the aforementioned, — make an almost In-
tolerable Burden, for a Town so thinly Inhabited to bear, and
what still adds to it, we have never been able to make a bridge
cross the Piscataquog of but few years Duration, and as their is
an absolute and [mediate Necessity of rebuilding s d Bridges,
and we are not able to go to the expence of Stone piers & But-
ments (which we find necessary,) your Petitioners humbly Pray
they may be Indulged with the Benefit of a Lottery To raise
Two Thousand live hundred Dollars which will Enable them
to build Sutable & Durable Bridges in such Places as shall be
GOFFSTOWN.
33
most convenient, an Beneficial to the Publick, as the moneys
raised by said Lottery will be apply d to so Necessary & Im-
portant a Purpose — We doubt not of a Speedy Sale of the
Tickets, by which we shall be Imediatly enabled to enter on
this great work —
And your Petetioners as in Duty bound will ever Pray & c —
James Eaton Stephen Tuttle Jonathan Bell
David Gregory John Monahan Samel Karr
David Richards
John Bell
Robert Spear
John Dinsmoor
Sam 11 M c Farland
Robert m c Calley
nethen towle
Joseph Buswell
David Stevens ju
John Patee
Will" 1 Rogers
Sam 11 Richards
Job Dow
tho s Stevens
John Little
John Creaig
Robert Gilman
Ebenezer wood
James Shirla
David M c Cluer
George Addison
Sam 1 Kennedy
George Little
John Buswell
Eben r Costar
Benjamin Stevens
magnes Burke
moses Little
David Hale
Jacob Stevens
John Butterfield
Philip Ferren
William Bell
Jonathan Wood
Alex r Gilcrest
Tho s Miller
Rob* Kannedy
wilimen herenton
Caleb Little
Timothy Stevens
Sam 11 Blodget
Enoch Sawyer
Joseph Little
James Clement
Peter Butterfield
Eben r Coster
Nathaniel Stevens
Ebenezer Ferren
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 26, 1778, petitioners granted leave
to bring in a bill for said purpose. — Ed.]
[4-120] ^Petition for the Privilege of sendiitg a Repre-
sentative without being Classed with Derryfeld.~]
To the Honourable Council & House of Representatives of the
Good peopel in the State of New Hampshire Conveaned at
Exeter &c,
The petition of the Inhabitants of Goffstown when in Town
meeting assembled, — your petitioners beg leave once more to
remind your Honours, that they have for three or four years
past, contrary to their wish & will, been coupled with Derry-
field, by the precept sent them by your Honours for the choice
of a Representative, alth your petitioners have repeatedly
beg'd the favour of your Honours, that a precept might be sent
them Independant of any Town whatever, which they Humbly
conceive they have an Undoubted right to as well as any other
Towns in Similer Circumstances with Goffstown ; which con-
sists of near One Hundred & fifty families ; when at the same
5
34 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
time, we would observe to your Honours, that their is noless
then Nineteen Towns in this State, & all less in Numbers as to
their Inhabitents, then Goffstown, & Yet, have precepts sent to
Each of them, Indepcndant of any Towns whatever; and some
of them have litle more than half our Numbers ; surely this is
worthy of your Honours consideration, as well as the attention
of your petitioners who must be void of fealing at this day, If
not tenatious of their Natural Rights and liberties ; are we not
Spending our Blood and Treasure in defence of them against
Greate Brittan, and was not Taxation without a full and free
Representation a pearte of the dispute, Surely it was, and can
Goffstown be said to have a full and free Representation when
compeled to Joyn with a nother Town and contrary to their
wills ; we your petitioners do not meen to call your Honours
authority in question, it is our Just Rights we are pleading for,
which has hearetofore ben denied us, for we cannot conceive
upon any Just principles why any Town that consists of 150
families can be denied a full and free Representation & Inde-
pendant of any other town ; at least nothing has been offered in
any of our leate Conventions to the contrary, it Seemed the pre-
vailing oppinion theire was, that 100 famelies had an undoubt-
ed Right to Send a Representative and we hope and trust your
Honours will Remain of the same Oppinion, and If the Custom
should be contineued for Issuing precepts, we trust and hope
your Honours will provide for Derryfield in som Other way, &
that Goffstown be allow'd their previledge in common with
Other towns, which to their great mortification, has ben too
Long withhild from them ; in granting of which, your petition-
ers in Duty bound will Ever pray
Goffstown Oct r 26 th 1779
at a legal meeting in Goffstown hild this day voted that Sam 1
Blodget Esq 1 " present the above petition to the general Court
in behalf of the Inhabiters of y e Said Goffstown
Alex dr Walker Town Clark
[R. 2-19] \_Documcnts relative to Soldiers, jy/8.~\
Goffstown, febury y c 4 th 1 77S
then Received of John Dunlap one Pound Sixteen Shillings
L. M. for carrying Samuel Rimecks from Goffstown to An-
dover to be Doctred of his wounds he Received in the Battel at
Banintown
per me Thomas Shirla
GOFFSTOWN. 35
These certifies That Samuel Remicks was a soldier in Cap*
McConnels Company in Col Stickneys Regiment at Bening-
ton in 1777 and was wounded in the Battle there last August
Robert Gillmor Lieut.
Goffestown, Feb r 3 d 1778
[Col. Thomas Stickney certifies to the same. — Ed.]
[r. 2-20] .11.3687:1
Sept. 8 th 1 780. This certifies that on the first day of March 1 777
The Committee of Safety (as appears by their Journal) agreed
to give William Bell Twenty Shillings per month over & above
his wages as a Soldier as a recompence for the time of his
assisting M r Noah Emery in the Commissary's Department
r.v
attest E. Thompson S
"{Joshua Bell, son of William Bell, of Goffstown, enlisted in
1777. He was in Capt. Livermore's company, Scammel's
regiment, and was discharged sick, after two years' service.
(R. 2-22, 23, 24.) — Ed.]
[R. 2-24^ ] [ Col. Kelley to Col. Stickney. ~\
Goffstown July y e 19, 1779.
Der Sir
after due Complements to you and Mr s Stickney, I perseve
that M r Eastman of weare have inlisted a man in haneker in
your Regiment by the Name of Pope to do a tower of dute in
the armey for said weare but Capten bowman Refuses to let
him go for them, and the mater is left to the determination of
you and me if you think with me according to the orders from
the Committee at Exeter april last, he ought to be held for
weare the inlistment I think is good and will and ought to hold
him for them —
Sir I am with grat esteem your most obedient and very hum-
bel sarvent
Moses Kelley
To Col Thomas Stickney Concord
[R. 2-21] [Relative to yoshua Wilson, Soldier, I775.~\
I Samuel Richards of Goffstown do testify and say that I
Commanded a Company at winterhill in the service of New
36 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Hampshire State, in the Spring of the year 1775, and that
Moses Littel Esq r was then my Lieu* who Inlisted Joshua Wil-
son in said GofTstown who stiled himself an Inhabiten of the
same, and at the Expiration of Eight monts the said Joshua
Wilson Reelnlisted under me for said State & for Twelve
month Longer Still Calling him self of said GofTstown and did
actually Receive a Blanket and Gun of the Inhabitants of the
said GofTstown together with provisions for his march to win-
terhill previous to joyning my Company as he Informed me
and further saith not
Samll Richards
[Sworn to July 10, 1782, before Robert McGregore. — Ed.]
[4-122] \_Warra?it for Town- Meeting, iy8o.~]
The freeholders and other Inhabitants of GofTstown Qualli-
fied to Vote in Town-meetings According to law, are Desired
to meet at the Meeting-house in Said town on Monday the 8 th
Day of January Next at one °Clock after-noon then and there
to act on the following Articles (Viz) First to Choose a Mod-
erator
3 d Article in Said Warrant. To Know the minds of the
Congregationals (so call d ) with Respect to the Presbyterians
being set off a Distinct Parish by themselves. 4th Article and
whither they will Vote the Parsonage on the South side of Pis-
cataquage River to the sole use of the Gospel in that way they
the said Presbytereans Relinquishing any Futer Pretentions to
anv Income Either to themselves or to the suport of the Gospel
in their way to the Other Two Lots on the North side of Pis-
cataqage River Called the Parsonage Lots, —
GofTstown Decern 1 " 2 2 d 17S0
Sam" Blodget ) g rf
Joshua Martin y
>tu, a ul- 1 \ men
Iho s bhirla )
To George Addison Constable
GofTstown January 8 th 17S1
this may Certify the Inhabitants of GofTstown have been Le-
gually Notified by Posting According to Law, George Addi-
son Constable —
At a town meeting Legually warned to be held at the meet-
ing house in GofTstown on the Eighth Day of January 1 7S1 ,
Voted Col Moses Killy be Moderator
Voted on the Third Article of the Warrant that the Town
GOFFSTOWN. 37
will Choose a Commity to Treat upon Matters Raletive to Sep-
erating Parishes.
Voted that the Commitee Consist of Six men, Voted Moses
Kelly, Sam 11 Robie, Philip Clement, Alex r Gilcrest John Craig
and John Butterfield, be said Committee Voted that the 4 th
Article in the warrant be Referred to the Committee aforsaid
for their Consideration, and to be laid before the Town at their
Next Meeting — The Report of the forsaid Commitie made at
the Next meeting by Adjournment Jan ry 29, 1781, is as follow-
eth. Agreeable to a Vote of the Town at a meeting held at
the meeting-house on the Eighth Instant Whereby we the sub-
scribers were Unanimously Chosen, as a Commitie to agree
upon a Method of Seperating the town into two Distinct Par-
ishes Beg leave to make this Report of what we have Done —
First it was taken under Consideration, whither it was best
to seperate or Not. Unanimously Resolved in the Affirmative.
Secondly that the two Parsonage Lots on the North side of
Piscataquage River be for the Congregational parish, and the
Lot that is on the south side for the Presbyterian Parish.
Thirdly that the Presbyterians Give up what they Did to the
meeting-house in Common with Others to the Congregationals
they Agreeing that when the Presbyterians Shall think fit to
build a Meeting-house in the Town the said Congregationals
will help them to the Value of one Quarter part of the frame
and Boarding and Shingling, a house as Large as the one that
is now in the Town
Dated at GofFstown January 26, 1781
Sam 11 Robie Alex a Gilcrest Moses Kelly
John Craig Philip Clement John Butterfield
January 29 1 781 The town met According to Adjournment
Voted that what was acted at the Opening Said meeting Rala-
tive to the third and fourth Article in the warrant for Calling
Said meeting was acted upon Agreeable to their minds, 2 d
Voted that the town Agree to seperate Parishes 3 d Voted that at
to Relinquishing the Right to the Parsonage the Congregation-
als act at one End of the meeting-house and the Presbyterrians
at the Other 4 th Voted by the Presbyterians that they will Re-
linquish their Rights to the Two Lots of the parsonage that is
on the North side of Piscataquage River, to the Congregation-
als 5 th Voted by the Congregationals that they will Relinquish all
their Rights to the Parsonage Lot that is on the South side of
Piscataquage River to the Presbyterrians. 6 th Voted by the
Presbyterians that they Will Give up what they Did to the
meeting-house in Common, to the Congregationals 7 th Voted
by the Congregationals that they will Give to the Presbyterians
(when they think fit to build a meetinghouse in the Town), the
38 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Building of one Quarter-part of a meeting house frame as
Large as the one that is now in the town and the boarding and
Shingling the same
Goffstown March 26 ; 1781
A true Coppey of Record Examined
attest P r Alex dr Walker Town Clark.
[4-1 21] [Petition relative to Church Affairs, iy8i.~\
State of Newhampshire To the Honourable The President,
and Members of the Council, And House of Representatives
in General Court Assembled, The petition of us the subscrib-
ers inhabitants of Goffstown, Humbly Sheweth That Your pe-
tioners are of Two Different presuations of Religion Viz
Congregationals and Presbyterrians, by which many Disputes
and Lawsuits have happned among us, much To our Damage,
and we think it has had a Tendency to hinder the settlement of
the Gospel among us in the Town.
Therefore after Duly Considering the matter the Town has
Entered into this Resolution, that the Inhabitants that are of
these Denominations Caled Congregationals & Presbyterians,
(as Above) may be in two Distinct Parishes, by the Names of
The Congregational Parish, and the Presbyterrian parish —
We pray y r Honours by Your Authority to Enact that Each
of these may be Cloathed with parish Powers, that they may
be in a Legual Capacity, to Colect Taxes for the Support of
the Gospel among themselves And Your petitioners as in Duty
bound will Ever Pray —
Goffstown March 22 d 17S1
James Kitridge Jonathan Bell Benjamin Stevens 3 d
Sam el Karr Eben r Kitridge Robert Gilcrest
Thos. Miller Abel wright Nathan Shed
Enoch Sawyer Sam 11 M°Farland James Eaton
Benjamin Stevens Edmund Sawyer Simon tuttle
Jun* Philip Clement Enoch Page
Tho s Vickere Vose Jonathan Stevens John Little
Timothy Johnson Timothy Stevens Nathaniel Stvens
George Little Thomas Stevens Peter Butterfield
Moses Little Andrew Kimball Sam 1 Robie
John Butterfield
[In H. of Rep., March 29, 178 r, petitioners were granted
leave to bring in a bill for the aforesaid purpose. — Ed.]
GOFFSTOWN. 39
[4-123] \_Request relative to Management of Town-Meeting,
Sir We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Goffes Town being
Discontent with the manner of carrying on our prisent Annual
Meeting for that a Considerable Number of the Men that Voted
were not Quallified as the Law Directs and when we Requested
the suposed Moderator to put the Vote to See if the people
were Content to have the meeting Carried on in that manner
we were Denied the Request Likewise when we Desired you
as Town Clark, to open the meeting again and Let the Voters
be Quallified we ware Denied the priviledge we Earnestly pray
that at the hour appointed this Day as it is adjournment of the
Said meeting, you would open the meeting and let the Voters
be Quallified that our town officers may be Legally Chosen.
Goffes Town march 24 1783
Alex dr Walker Esq r Town Clark
Philip Ferren Alex dr Gilcrest Will m Sawyer
Samuel Sherley Tho s Shirla Moses Little
Jonathan Stevens Enoch Page Timothy Stevens
John Richardson Nathan Sheed John Little
Philip Clement Enoch Sawyer John Craig
Sam 11 Robie James Eaton Timothy Johnson
A true Coppey of Record Exemened atest
Alex dr Walker T C
[On another document of the same import and same
date, are the following names : — Ed.]
Moses Kelley Benjamin Stevens Tho s Vickery Vose
Joseph Buswell Jur
[4-124] [Deposition relative to Constable 's Pay.~\
The Deposition of Steven Tuttle of Goffstown of Lawfull
age do Testify and Say that on Monday the Twenty fourth day
of March in the year 1783 at the adjournment of the annual
meeting held in Said Goffstown in the State of Newhamp r
Sam 11 Blodget Esq r being the moderator of Said meeting a mo-
tion was then made in said meeting to give the Constables Ten
Dollars pr year for their Services your Deponent then objected
against the motion the then moderator spoke with a Loud au-
dible voice in the Inglish Language and said dont you Tuttle
40
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
vote against it for it is not Likely that you will be Called upon
to serve as Constable Soon ; and I will pay your parte of that
Tax and any further your Deponent Saith not
Stephen Tuttle
we the Subscribers do afferme that we ware present at the
adjournment of the Said meeting and did hear the moderator
make the proposals of paying the parte of his the said Stephen
Tuttle Tax if he would not object against the giving the Con-
stables Ten Dollers p r year for there Services in the office of
Constable p r us
Philip Clement
Benja" 1 Stevens jun r
[4~ I2 5]
[Return of Ratable Polls, 1783. ~]
Persuant to a Voate of the asembly we have Number'd all
the Male Poals of Twenty One years of age and Upwards pay-
ing for them Selves a Poll Tax within Our town acording to
the best of Our Judgment and finde One Hundred and Sixty
Eight—
Henerey Blasdele ) Selectmen of
Joshua Martan ) Goffstown
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss
Goffstown Dec r the 18: 1783 the above named Henerey
Blaisdel & Joshua Martain apeard and made to the above by
them Signed befor
Robert M c Gregore Jus* Peace
[4-126]
To Alex r Walker Town Clerk of Goffstown
Sii
Please to Begin the Town Meeting this Day as Soon as maybe
Conveniantly, and let the Voters be Qualified in So Doing You
will Oblige us the Subscribers Inhabitants of Goffstown March
3 d i7S3
Jeams Eaton
Bengiman richerds
Enoch Page
John Craig
Jonathan Stevens
Philip Clement
Joseph Buswell
John Richerson
timothey Stephens
Ali\ r Gilcrcst
William Sawyer
Sam 1 Robie
timothey Johnson
Nathan 'Shed
true Sargent
Caleb little
Moses Little
Enoch Sawyer
Edmund Sawyer
Tho s Shirk
Philip Ferren
GOFFSTOWN. 41
[4-127] [ Warrant for Town- Meeting, 1783. ~\
State of New Hamp r Hillsborough
To mr Issaches Ring one of the Constables in Goffes Town in
Said State Greeting —
You are hereby Required in the name and by the authority
of the good people of Said State to warn the Freeholders and
other Inhabitants Quallified by Law to Vote in Town meetings
to meet at the meeting house in Goffes Town on munday the
third Day of march next at ten O Clock in the forenoon then
and their to act on the following articles
i Bt To Chuse a moderator to Regulate Said meeting
2 Iy To Chuse all Town officers for the Insuing year as the
Law Directs
3 ly To See if the Town will allow the Select men their ac-
compts and others that may be brought before the Town
4 ly To See if the Town will Give the Constables their pole
Tax the year past
5 ly To See if the Town will Raise money for a School the
Insuing year and how much
6 ly To See how much money the Town will Raise to Defray
Town Charges the Insuing year and Likewise to Repair High-
ways
7 ly To See if the Town will make aney adition to the wages
Set by the town in Building the new bridge accross the River
near Job Dows
8 ly To See if the Town will Sell the School Right or aney
part thei'eof to Suport a School in this Town for which this
shall be your Sufficient warrant
Given under our hands and Seals at Goffes Town this fiftinth
Day of Febuary 1783
Henry Blasdell") « ,
Sam 11 Kennedy >
T t-, , - J t men
James Laton )
A true Coppey of Record attest
Alex dr Walker Town Clark
[4—128] \_JProtest against Action in Town- Meeting, 1783. ~]
We the Subscribers Inhabitence of Goffestown do hereby
Enter our protest against any thing that may be Acted in A
Meeting to be holden in Said Goffestown this thirteenth Day of
October AD 1 783 as the Warning is not Legal
42 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Alex r Gilcrest Enoch Page Timothy Stevens
Moses Little Enoch Sawyer Moses Kelly
Philip Clemant Timothy Johnson Philip Ferren
A true Coppey of Record attest
Alex dr Walker Town Clerk
[4-129] [Trouble bet-ween the Congregational and Presby-
terian Parishes, 1783.^
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Council & Gentlemen of the Honour-
able House of Representatives in General Assembly at Con-
cord convened the Seventeenth day of December Anno Dom :
17S3-
The humble petition of the several persons Inhabitants of
GofFstown in the County of Hillsboro' and State aforesaid
whose names are hereunto set and subscribed, Sheweth,
That the said Goftstown consists of two seperate and dis-
tinct Parishes, one of them distinguished by the name of the
Congregational Parish, the other the Presbyterean.
That on the first Monday of March in the present year (the
day appointed by Charter to hold their Annual Meeting) two
of the Selectmen, the Town Clerk, and a few of the Inhabi-
tants met (without having previously warned the said last Par-
ish) opened the Meeting, and proceeded to choose a Moderator,
Town Clerk and Selectmen by hand Votes, and here your pe-
titioners beg leave to observe that amongst those few who voted
several were not quallified for that purpose according to law —
That afterwards, when the Inhabitants were generally as-
sembled at their usual time of attending and before the said
new Officers had taken their several Oaths of Office, ten of the
Inhabitants of said Town who were qualified Voters, moved
the Moderator, to put it to Vote by polling, to see if the In-
habitants then present were content with the transactions of
that Meeting or not, but the Moderator refused to put it.
That a petition (herewith exhibited) was then signed by
more than twenty of the Inhabitants legual Voters and deliv-
ered to the Clerk desiring him to open the Meeting again ; and
to let the Voters be qualified, but this was also refused. We
then entrd a protest against the proceedings of the Meeting, as
being illegual in our opinion and amongst the rest, they had
Voted a gratuity to the two Constables of said Town of Ten
Dollars each without the least hint thereof in the warrant.
GOFFSTOWN. 43
That the said Town Meeting being adjourned to the 24 day
of the same month, another petition was signed and delivered
to the Clerk to the same purport as above mentioned, but the
same petition was again rejected and the Clerk refused to de-
liver it Back to the petitioners, but told them they might have
a Copy. That they then entred a second protest against said
Meeting — That the said Selectmen afterwards called another
Town Meeting without warning the said distinct Presbyterian
Parish and the same was held on Monday the 13 day of Octo-
ber, where they also voted to raise 700 Dollars to defray a pre-
tended Debt of said Town on account of Beef and Rum, not-
withstanding a sufficient Sum of money had been voted &
assessed before that time to answer the same — and your Peti-
tioners again, protested against said Meeting and voted not.
That the said Selectmen since have called another Meeting for
the purpose of choosing a Representative and without warning
the said Presbyterian Parish of said Choise, have elected a man
to represent them in General Court, said Meeting was held on
Monday the 8 th day of December Instant and your Petitioners
entered a protest against said Meeting and Voted not.
Therefore your Petitioners have taken the liberty of laying
before your Honours the Difficulties they labour under, and
shewing how hard they have struggled in a legual way in De-
fence of their Rights and Priviledges.
We petitioned the Commitee of Safety as early as April but
without effect. The same petition was preferred to the Hon-
ourable Council and House of Representatives at their June
Session but without its desired effect —
afterwards we petitioned the same Honourable Court in Oc-
tober when a day of hearing was appointed and an Order of
Court given thereon, but before the day commenced the said
Court desolved yet as the matters of Complaint are still in-
creasing, and as your petitioners & others are obliged to submit
to a party, headed by some person full of Craft, Cunning &
Design Your Petitioners humbly hope that your Honours will
be pleased to interpose in their behalf in this day and that the
said petition and papers belonging thereto which is now in the
Office together with this petition be taken into your wise con-
sideration and that all the said arbitrary Proceedings may be
declared null & void, or give such other remedy, as to you in
your great wisdom shall seem most meet, and Your Honours
petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Ja s Pike Tho s Vickere Vose John Richardson
Caleb Little John Smith Nathan Shed
George Poor Edmund Sawyer Samuel Eaton
Timothy Wells Samuel Smith Edward Wood
44
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Timothy Silver
Joseph Little
George Little
Sam 1 Boyd
Thomas Stevens
Sam 1 Robie
Enoch Sawyer
Philip Ferren
Moses Little
Jonathan Stevens
Benjamin Stevens
James Eaton Jun r
Ebenezer Wood
John Buswell
Jonathan Bell
Nath Clark
David Hale Ju
Tho s Shirk
Joseph Buswell
Enoch Page
Philip Clement
Matthew Richard-
son
Timothy Kimbeall
Timothy Stevens
John Little
John Butterfield
Peter Butterfield
Alexander Gilcrest
John Craig
James Eaton
Timothy Johnson
Benj a Stevens Jun r
John ONeill
Wood Clark
We whose names are under written beg leave to inform Your
Honours, that we signed a petition to the Honourable Court
that was met at Concord last June, certifying our contentment
with the transactions of our last annual meeting, being urged
thereto by designing men but on further consideration of the
matter and seeing the managments of the Town Officers since
that time now pray your Honours to grant the prayer of the
within petition
Ebenezer Hadley
David Hale
Ephraim Wright
Prince Johonnet
Thomas Guy
[On another petition of the same import, dated Oct. 28,
1783, are the following names : — Ed.]
Ensign Chubuck
John Bassett
Jonas Farmer
William Moor
John Smith
Joseph Sargent
Jonathan VVood
Seth Wvman
Lot Little
Charles Sergeant
Joseph Davis
Jn° O Neil
Philip Jones
William Storv
John George
Benja Richards
David M c Cleary
Moses Kelly
Tru Sargent
Moses Page
[4-130] [Protest against Proceedings of Town* Meeting ".]
Goffes Town March y c 3 17S3
To Alex 3 ' Walker Town Clerk we the Subscribers do hereby
Enter our protest against the proseeding of this meeting as the
Said meeting appears to be Illegal and pray that the Same may
be Entered in the Town Book
Caleb Little
Sam 11 Eaton
Nathan Shed
Timothy Stepens
Joseph Buswell
John Little
GOFFSTOWN. 45
Alex dr Gilcrest John Creaig Moses Little
Tho s Shirla Jonathan Stevens Philip Ferren
Enoch Page Timothy Johnson Enoch Sawyer
Sam 11 Robie Philip Clament
A true Coppey of Record p r
Alex dr Walker Town Clark
[4- J 34]
At the annual meeting held in Goffes Town on monday the
third Day of march 1 783
Voted that the Town allow Each Constable Ten Dollars for
their Services this year Exclusive of their perquesets
A true Coppey of Record attest
Alex dr Walker Town Clerk
At a meeting held in Gofies Town on monday the thirteenth
Day of October 1783
Voted that there be two Hundred and ten pounds Raised to
Discharge the Towns Debts
A true Coppey of Record attest
Alex dr Walker Town Clark
[4—136] [Petition to have the Line between Goffstown and
New Boston established, 1787. ~]'
State of Newhampshire
To the hon ble the Senate & house of Representatives for S d
State
Humbly Sheweth
That the Line between Newboston & Goffstown has not been
run or perambulated for many years, before last year & it was
then run by Judge Page of Dunbarton who was mutually
Chosen by both Towns, this Line was not agreable to some of
the Inhabitants of New Boston, and it was since run by Sur-
veyors belonging to S d Newboston & Goffstown, with this Line
some of the Inhabitants of S d Goffs Town were much dissatis-
fied because it took off almost one whole Range of Lotts from
S d Goffs Town, upon the Northwest Corner, the Inhabitants of
S d Goffs town in Town Meeting rejected the Line as it was then
run, & by a Committee of S d Goffstown requested Newboston
that S d Line might be run by Indifferent Surveyors belonging
to Neither of S d Towns & the S d Town of Goffs Town agreed
46 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to abide the Determination of S d Surveyors, but this the Town
of Newboston hath absolutely refused, we therefore pray that a
Committee may be appointed by the hon ble Court to perambu-
late & establish Said Line between Said Towns aforesaid as
soon as Conveniently may be at the Joint Cost of both Towns
& your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray
Sept r io m A. D. 17S7
Thos. Shirla
Selectmen
John Page { ^ «. ,
J ° 1 Cjonstown
[In H. of Rep., February 6, 1788, a committee, con-
sisting of Jeremiah Page of Dunbarton and Daniel Camp-
bell of Amherst, was appointed to perambulate and estab-
lish a line between the two towns, and report at the next
session. They reported, and the report was referred to a
committee, who advised that the matter be referred back
to the first committee, and Aaron Greeley was added to it.
Report not found. — Ed.]
[ Goffsto-wn Men in First N. H. Regiment .]
[Samuel Davis, entered July, 1777, discharged Dec, 1781*
Joseph Hadley, enlisted Jan. 1, 1777, discharged Sept. 2>
1779.
William Kemp, entered Jan. 4, 1777, discharged Sept. 6,
1777.
Reuben Kidder, entered Feb. 27, 178 1, discharged 1781.
Samuel Smith, entered Jan. 20, 1777, discharged Dec,
1781.
William Thompson, entered May 7, 1781, discharged
June 7, 1781. — Ed.]
GOSHEN.
This town was formed from portions of Fishersfield
(Newbury), Wendell (Sunapee), Newport, Unity, and Lemp-
ster, and incorporated December 27, 1791.
The act of incorporation provided that the inhabitants of
the portion taken from Lempster should continue to pay
ministerial taxes to the support of the Rev. Elias Fisher,
and did so until said provision was repealed, Dec. 8, 1796.
GOSHEN. 47
By an act approved June 22, 1797, the boundary lines of
the town were established, and the same were in part
changed June 17, 1806.
A tract of land was severed from Unity, and annexed to
Goshen, July 6, 1837.
The portion of the town taken from Sunapee was first
settled in 1769, by Capt. Benjamin Rand, William Lang,
and Daniel Grindle.
Why the Bible name Goshen was given to the town is
unknown to the editor.
[4-139] [Rev. Elias Fisher's Certificate. ,]
Lempster Sep r 14, 1796.
this may certify that if in case the Town of Lempster see
cause to give their consent that the People in that part of Go-
shen which was taken from Lempster should not be holden to
pay any part of my Salary After the present Year, that I will
not exact of S d Town any Augmentation of my Salary on Ac-
count of the increas of list on S d Inhabitants —
Elias Fisher
The Above is a true copy of an Original certificate lodged in
the Town clerks Office (Lempster)
Attest James Bingham Town Clerk
[4-1 40] [Petition for Relief from faying Ministerial Taxes
hi Le??zpster.~\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives to be
Convened at Concord in the state of New Hampshire on the
fourth Wednesday of Nov r Instant —
We your Petitioners Humbly Sheweth
As their is a Clause in an Act Entitled an Act to Incorporate
a Town by the Name of Goshen Empowering the Selectmen
of Lempster to Assess the Inhabitants of that part of Goshen
that formerly belonged to the Town of Lempster towards the
Support of the Reverend M r Fisher so long as he shall remain
the Minister of said Lempster and empowering the Collector of
said Lempster to Collect said Taxes as though said Act of In-
corporation had not been passed —
We your Petitioners Inhabitants of that part of Goshen (for-
48 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
merly Lempster) being Taxed in both Towns towards the sup-
port of the Ministry makes it very Burdensom and having ob-
tained the Consent of the Town of Lemster Humbly Pray that
the Said Clause in Said Act may be Repealed (and your peti-
tioners have all the priviledges and Immunities that any other
Towns Do Enjoy) or otherwise as your Honours in your Wis-
dom Seem meet And your petitioners as in Duty bound Shall
ever pray
Goshen November y e 16 th 1796
John Tomson Calvin Bingham Allen Willey
Micah Morse W m Story Hez h Emerson
Reuben Willey Daniel marston Nathan Willey
James Philbrook Silas Smith Na* Beckwith
[In H. of Rep., December 8, 1797, the aforesaid clause
in the act of incorporation was repealed. — Ed.]
[4-138] [ Vote of Lempster relative to Ministerial Taxes
paid by Gos/ien.~\
Town Clerks Office Lempster
At a legal Town meeting held in Lempster on the first mon-
day of Nov r AD 1796—
On reading and considering a Petition from the Inhabitants
of Goshen — Voted that in case the inhabitants of that part of
Goshen which was taken from Lempster will punctually pay
up all the taxes now made up Against them for the payment of
the Rev d M r Fishers Salary, the Town will release them from
paying any part of S d Salary in future
The above is a true copy taken from the Town Book of Rec-
ord of S d Lempster. Attest
James Bingham Town Clerk —
GRAFTON.
The township was granted August 14, 1761, to Ephraim
Shearman and others, and named in honor of an English
nobleman.
This grant was surrendered by a vote of the grantees, De-
cember 27, 1762, and the township was regranted Septem-
ber 12, 1769, to Josiah Willard and others, many of whom
were from towns in Cheshire county.
GRAFTON. 49
The first settlement was made in 1772 by Capt. Joseph
Hoyt, of Poplin, now Fremont. Capt. Alexander Pixley
and family settled soon after.
The town was incorporated by the legislature November
11, 1778, in answer to a petition from the inhabitants,
Daniel Sanders being authorized to call the first meeting.
An act relative to the boundaries was passed March 28,
178 1, and one establishing the same was approved June 18,
1802. See Vol. XI, page 726.
A fine quality of mica has been mined in this town for
many years, and excellent specimens of beryl are occasion-
ally found.
[3-142] \_Petition for Incorporation, etc., 1777. ]
the
Grafton May 9 AD 1777
Hon gentlemen of the general Asembley in the State of New
Hamsheir Wee take this Opertunyty to in form your onners
that you Demand More of us then Wee are Able to perform for
you Require of us a valiation of our Ratibel Estates Which val-
iation must Bee taken By our seleck men Which Your Hon-
ners Never Empowred us to Chuse And Wee your humble pe-
titioners Do pray that your honours Will autherise and grant us
Liberty to Chuse our select Men : and incorporate us : and
Chuse a gestes of the Pees for us in the town and We take Leave
to Nominate Capt Aaron Barney to Be the man ; and then
Wee Will Com in town order: and then We Will give your
onners A true Estamation and one faviour more Wee ash of
yours honours that is to have A privilegs to Leve a Part of our
tax upon the Wild Land if Your Honners see Cause to tax us
and the Reason Wee give for that is this there is Men that has
a grade Dele of Land in our town Which Lives out of this
state and they Will not Due any Duty on the Rodes Except
Wee mak their Wild Lands Do it and our Rodes are very Bad
and Wont a gradel of Work Don on them And We pray your
Honners to take this in to Consideration and the Bouns of our
town is as follers Be ginning at the North West Corner A hem
Lock tree and then Running south sixty five Degrees Est six
miles and half a mild to a Burch tree Marked J B With stones
Round it from thence south thur ty six Degrees West five miles
and A half mile to a Burch that is Marked J B from thence
Running North seventy two Degrees West six miles and a half
a mild and from thence North Eleven Degrees West three hun-
dred and Eighty three Rods to a small Beech With stones
50 p:arly town papers.
Round it from thence North fourty three Degrees Est five miles
and half mild to the hemlock that Wee Bee gun at: and there
is A gore of Land that Lise ginning to our town Betwene the
Petten Line and our town and there is two famelies on it and
they Desire to gine With our town if your onners see fit
And We Bege that your onners Wold take this in to Consia-
tion and grant us oui Pertision and Put us in order that We
may Do our Bisenes in our one town And Where in Wee have
mised it Wee Bage that your onners Wold for give us for it is
thrue our Ignorence and We Bage that your onners Will De-
rect us to Do Better for the futer and We here from other towns
that W r ee in these Newtowns shall Never have the privileg of
Chusing a Representatives and We Wont to now Whether it
shall Be so or not and We hope your honours Will send us Bak
Word By the man that Brings this pertision to your Honners
as sone as our Pertision may Be grantted — for Wee Ecknowleg
ourselves to Be under the laws and Derecktions of your On-
nors sonomore
But We remain yours to sarve
Aaron Barney Jabez Bosworth Bar- Josep Hamelton
Charles Aldrich ney Jonatha Bufl'um
Jonathan Nickles Russel Mason Matthew Peck
Hezekiah Bullock Israel Winchester Daniel King
Nathan Aldrich Peck Abraham aldrich
Oliver Williams William Aldrich Jeremiah Williams
Nathaniel Andrews William Williams Christopher Smith
[In H. of Rep., June 6, 1777, a hearing was ordered for
next session. See next document. — Ed.1
[4-141] [Petition for I?zco?-poration, Ijy8.~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon 1),c the Council and House of Representatives of Said
State of New Hampshire In General Assembly Convened at
Exeter Nov r 5 th 177S.
Humbly Sheweth Daniel Sanders of Grafton in the County
of Grafton in Said State as agent for and in behalf of the In-
habitants of Said Township of Grafton That the Said In-
habitants Labour Under many Difficulties, Particularly that of
Assessing & Collecting Taxes on the Inhabitants & Nonresi-
dent Proprietors of Said Township, by reason of their not be-
ing hitherto Incorporated into a body Politick cS: Corporate,
GRAFTON.
Si
with Such Powers and Priviledges as other Towns in Said
State have & Enjoy —
Wherefore the Said Daniel in behalf of the Said Inhabitants
(whose names are also hereto Affixed) Humbly Prays that this
hon ble Court will Consider their Case and Pass an Act to Incor-
porate the Said Township of Grafton into a Body Politick &
Corporate with Such Powers Priviledges and Immunities as
other Incorporated Towns in Said State have & Enjoy — And
Your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray &c —
Grafton October 15 th 1778.
Daniel Sanders in behalf of
Benjamin Bullock
Charles D e Marain-
ville
Jabez Barney
Samuel Braley
William Williams
Joshua Caswell
Oliver Williams
Nathan Aldrich
Matthew Peck
Christopher Smith
Aaron Barney
John D e Marainville
Abraham Aldrich
Perez Mason
Seth Martin
Charles Aldrich
William Bowen
Abial Knapp
Daniel King
Jonathan Buffum
John Clark
Zurel Haskell
Jonathan Nickels
John Johnson Jun 1
William Aldrich
Hezekiah Bullock
Nathaniel Mason
James Sanders
[The town was incorporated by an act passed November
11, 1778. — Ed.]
[4-143] [Petition relative to Taxes, etc., iyyg.~\
State of Newhampshire Grafton : ss :
The humble Petition of The Town of Grafton To the Hon-
ourable Councill And Jentleman of the house of Representa-
tives Humbly Sheweth That we Labour under low Circum-
stances & we Pray your Honours to take hour Petition under
Your wise Consideration And Make an abatement in our taxes
as You in your wisdom May think Proper our Condition is
Such we humbly Concieve That if we Should bee obliged to
Pay the tax thats Proposined on us and that we Expect to fol-
low it would Reduce the Most of us to be a Specttickle of Pitty
to All human Cretures a Great Part of hour People Came in
to this Wilderness in Such dificult times that it has all most
Redused Them to Nothing But familys of Small Children We
have not above three familys in town that Ever Raised their
Bred Corn and in other Nessarys we have Skarse any that will
Raise any thing to Spare to Purchase Such Nesasarys as they
must have to Keep their familys from Suffering and our town is
Two Thousand acres of Land less then our Charter Contains
52 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and Sence our town was incorperated there is a Considerable
tract of Land and Some People on it that we Cant tax though
they were Recond with us Before we humbly Pray your hon-
ours to due what You in your wisdom thinks Just as Your
humble Petitioners in duty bound Shall Ever Pray &c
Grafton July y c 27 AD "1779
Jabez Boz th Barney Town Clerk
By order of the Town att A Legal Meating
[4-144] \_y?tstice of the Peace elected, ///p.]
Colo. Timothey Walker Sir this is to Sartify that At a legal
Meating of the Inhabetants ofthetowm of Grafton At Legally
warn d for that Purpose They Made Choice of Liut Daniel San-
ders to be A Jistes of the Peace for the County of Grafton
Grafton March ye 20 AD 1779
test Jabez Boz th Barney town Clark
[R. 2-2 =j] \_Accou?it of Service done in the Revolutionary
War.]
State of New Hampshire
Grafton December y e 22 A. D. 1783
A List of The Servis Dun In the war for said Town from the
year 1775 untill Now
June 9 th 1777 on the Alarm at tye
1 Capt — 2 Sargents — 3 Privets — 1 month 1 week 1 day
July y e 20 AD. 1777 at Benington
1 Lieu* — 1 Sargent — 3 Privets — 8 months 6 days
On alarm at Ticonteroga
1 Lieu* — 1 Sargent — 4 Privets — 3 weeks
On alarm at Ticonteroga
1 Cap* — 1 Lieu* — 1 Sargent — 19 Privets — 2 years 10 months
On alarm at The taking of Burgoine
1 Lieu* — 1 Pack hoss — travell of the hors not paid
On alarm at Royalton
1 Cap 1 — 1 Lieu* — 1 Sargent — 1 Corporal — iS Privets — 3 Pack
hoss 7 months — Travell of three horses 416 miles Recieved
Know Pay for the larm
June A D 17S0 at cohos
2 Privets — 1 year — 4 months
GRAFTON. 53
At Peekskill 1776 — 1 Privet 3 months
At the Seders 177 — 61 Privet 3 months. Lost articles to the
value of £6-18-10
On alarm 1777 — 1 Lieu* 6 days
at Cohos 1776 — 1 Privet 3 months
Inhabitants of said Town Before they came In to s d Town
have Dun 34 years 9 months 1 week Sarvis in other states
A True Coppey of the Officers of said town and privets that
has Dun servis In the other states
x> n A/r ) Select men
Russell Mason > r . , ,
j tor said town
N : B Said Town has had three men has sarved three years
each and one going on his third year in the Continantal Servis
for s d Town
[4-H5]
To the Hon red the Councel and house of Representatives in
gel a Sembly Convened at Concord in and for the State of
Newhampshire in June 1783 the humbel Pertion of the free
holders and othe in habetants of grafton in Said State honbly
Shueth that it is With the gratitis greef and Destress of mind
that we are Constrained to Lay Before your honours the De-
plorable and Shoking Setuation of the People of Said town in
Regard to our wilfair as to this wirlds goods, firstly We wold
humbly Shew your onners that about the time of the Commins-
ment of the Late Wor this town Began to Setle And as People
was in Destres and Drofe from the old Setleed towns After
they had Lost a grate Part of their in trust and fled here With
a very Small intrust : and as our Lots hath Cast us here and a
grater Part of the People Remains Pore and Destresed And
Being So nie the front ters we have Ben much Distresed in the
Lorrums We have Ben at Sundry times all Cold for in the
aLorrums and So many of our men hath gone that We hath
Not Raised one half of our Daly Seport and We have Ben
obliged to go a grate Distance for our Brat and then was oblig-
ed to give a very Extragant Price and our Being at a Distance
from the Jenaral Cort Never had the Acts of that onnarable
Court and Lately we have Ben Destrest By Extents from your
honners of Which taks Bil We never was notyfied and as it Now
Stans : we humbly Shue your honners that wee have Abselute-
ly Came to A Reselution to gite in to Regelation And intreet
your honners to Stay all further Perseedings until the Next Ses-
sions of a Sembly when and where Wee your Pertishanors Pro-
54 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
perly State the matter and Lay it Befour your onners and also
take A valeation and Lay that Befour your onners : for your
wise Consideration on that mater As wee Look on your onners
to be the gard Deens of our Rights : our Eiys are on you for
Releas in this time of Distress : And Releaf we Pray your on-
ners to grant us : and your Pertishenars As in Duty Bound Will
Ever Pray.
Graftown June y e 13 AD 1783
Signned in Behalf of the town
Russell Mason town Clark
[4-146] [Petition for the Passage of an Act making Pro-
duce, etc., Legal Tender for Debts, iy8j.~\
To the Honourable the Council & House of Representatives In
General asembly Convend at Concord in & for the State of
Newhampshire in October — 1783 —
The Petition of the Freeholders & other inhabitants of the
Town of Grafton Humbly Sheweth that it is with The Gratest
Grief & Distress of mind that. we are Constrained to Lay before
your Honours the Deplorable & Shocking Situation of the Peo-
ple of this Town Paper Currency So amediately Sinking & the
Great Scarcity of Cash almost None Surculating in this Part of
the State that the Like was Never Experienced by a Free Peo-
ple our Taxes are Large & Not Money in the Town to Dis-
charge one Twentieth Part of the Tax & it Seems at Such an
innormous Rate there is Not Money to be had to Pay Even for
the Copy of the Rits & if there is NotSomthing Done we Shall
Soon be Reduced to a State of abe 1 Begary therefore we Pray
your honours to Pass an act to inable the People to Pay there
Debts without money for we have Property if your honours
would in your wisdom Pass an act that State Securities of any
of the four New England States Shall be a Tender & Stock &
any kind of Merchantable Produce to Discharge Debts in order
to Stop Suing or to Pint out Some other Method to Releave
your Distressed Subjects as we look on you to be thee Gar-
deens of our Rights we as Loyal Subjects Men not to Dictate
nor Direct but meen to Let our Condition be known Not in the
Least Doubting but that your honours will Point out Some
Method to Releave us or we are to all intents & Purposes an
undone People our Crops are Cut off more than one halfe & we
Desire your honours to Deal kindly with us & your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray —
Andrew Aldrich ) appointed Committee
Russell Mason \ for S d Town
GRAFTON. 5 5
\_The following Documents are from the " General fonathan
Chase Papers" in Library of N. U. Historical Society. ~\
Grafton May 12 th 1777
Cournnel Chase here is the Return of the men that is drafted
By me
Capt Joseph Hoyt
Lieutainant Seth Marten Sargent Perez Mason
Sargent Israel Wenchester Peck Cristerfor Smith
Marthew Peck Nathan oldreg Nathaniel Mason
Simun Bullock Simun Wheton Joseph Sevey
Grafton July y e 24 A D 1777
Colol Chase Sir here is the Return of the men that I have
Drafted according to your orders
by me Cap* Joseph Hoyt
Daniel Sanders Serg* Russell Mason Simeon Bullock
Nathaniel Mason thomas Howard Martin Barney
To Col Jonathan Chase S r These certify that Nathaniel
Andrus of Grafton Belonging to my Company twenty years of
age five feet nine inches high Enlisted into the Continental Ser-
vis for three years in one of the three Regiments of the state of
New Hampshire on the 3 d day of March 177S an d also that
Alexander Pigsley of said Grafton 25 years of age 5 feet 6
inches high and Benjamin Pigsley of said Grafton 21 years of
age 5 feet 8 inches High Boath Belonging to my Company —
Enlisted into the Continental Servis in March 1777 by Enlisting
into Ebenezer Soper s Company belonging to a Regiment in the
Massachusetts Bay the Col of which I have now forgot but is
Mentioned in one of my former returns Made to yourself.
Which three Men Make up the Quota that was proportioned
for my Company to Raise of the Continental troops and there-
fore have not Raised any men upon the last orders Sent to me
&c
from S r Your obedient Hum 1 Sv*
Joseph Hoyt Cap*
Grafton 21 st of April 1778
Grafton August y e 3 A D 1779
Col Chase Sir this is the Return of the Solders in my
Company thirty Soldiers Sklusive the officers and four in alaram
List
By me Cap* Joseph Hoyt
56 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Grafton July y e 10 1780
Colo Chase Sir I have inListed two men Daniel Beean
and Robart Raynold for six months
Yo most humb Ser*
Joseph Hoyt Cap 1
[ Grafton Me?z drafted, iy8o.~]
grafton July the 11 th Day 1780
to the Honourabel Jonathan Chase Esq Con 1 of the Redg-
ment of the County of Graftown Sir after yousing every pos-
abel Meens to inlist the three men for three months my aforts
was all in vain and I am Now oblidged to Draft and I hear
Send you Sir a Return of the three Drafted men viz Joseph
Hambelton Aaron Barney and John Buffon Sir with grate
Respect I Remain yours to Sarve
Joseph Hoyte Cap n
[Capt. Joseph Hoyt was from Poplin (Fremont), and was
the first settler in town. — Ed.]
GRANTHAM.
This town was granted July 11,1761, to John Kathan
and others. No settlements were made under this grant,
and it was forfeited.
It was regranted June 8, 1767, to " Col. William Simms"
and others.
June 23, 1780, the westerly part of this town and the
easterly part of Plainfield were erected into a parish for
parochial purposes, which has since been known as Meri-
den.
February 5, 1788, in answer to a petition, the name of
the town was changed to New Grantham, and so remained
until June 12, 18 18, when it was changed to Grantham.
December 2, 1808, an act was passed establishing the
lines between this town and the towns of Cornish and
Croydon.
GRANTHAM. 57
By an act passed January 13, 1837, a tract of land was
severed from Grantham, and annexed to Enfield.
December 25, 1844, some territory was severed from this
town, and annexed to Cornish.
By an act passed June 25, 1858, the gore between Gran-
tham and Springfield was annexed to this town.
Grantham, or New Grantham as it was then called, was
one of the towns which attempted to form a union with
Vermont, and was represented in the convention at Cor-
nish, April 5, 1 781, by Capt. Abel Stevens.
[4-147] [List fo Grievances, 1777. ~\
A List of Greavances complain d of by y e Town of New
Grantham
I st Unequal Representation. We hold that every Body Poli-
tick has an inherent right of being Represented in General As-
sembly and that no power on Earth is able to take that power
from us no more than they have to take away y e title of our
Lands for y e same power that gave us y e one gave us y e Other
and y e one is as assential as the other.
2 nd that when y e Late General Court was chose they were chose
for y e solepurpseof actingony 6 exegency of y e times and iny e room
of that they immediately set up a Lasting plan of Goverment
without either asking liberty of their Constituents or whether
such a form of Goverment would suit them or not for we hold
that y e right of instructing our Representatives is an assential
prop in Civil Liberty
3 dly In the System of Goverment. We hold that a Council
is as much the representatives of y e State at Large as a Repre-
sentative is of a perticar Town and therefore ought to be chose
by y e state at Large and not have y e stat struck out into De-
stricts for that purpose.
^thiy y e Code of Laws made on that system are of y e Same
tenure of those we have Revolted from and for that reason we
are Spilling our Blood and treasure for nothing
Signed in Behalf of y e Town of New Grantham Feb. 4 th
1777 Abel Stevens a Committeman
for that purpose
[Some other towns sent in similar documents. See Vol.
XI, p. 23. These opinions led to an attempt to unite with
Vermont. — Ed.]
58 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
\_From Gen. jfonatha?i Chase's Papers in N. H. Historical
Society Library.^
[ Grantham Revolutionary Soldiers .]
A Muster and pay Roll of New Grantham men being part
of Coll Jonathan Chase's Rigerment which Marched to Sara-
toga in the sarvice of the United states of America in Septem-
ber 1777
Abel Stevens Cap 1 J on<l Parkhurst Ju r Priv
Eben r Jene Sarg* Jon a Parkhurst D°
Lem 11 Colton Priv Jon a Crow D°
Nath 11 Parkhurst D°
N. Grantham Augusust 2 d 1779
Sir. Agreeable to Orders receiv d dated July 16 th 1779 I
have Enlisted Lemuel Colton for y e Rhodeisland Service for
this Town
I am your humble Ser* Abel Stevens Cap*
Co 1 Jonathan Chase
N. Grantham August 2 d 1779
Sir. Pursuant to orders Receiv d Dated July 22 d 1779 a re-
turn of y e Number of men in y e Trained Band and Alarm List
in Cap 1 Abel Stevens Company
1 Capt 1 Se r 14 Rank and file 2 alarm men
Pr. Abel Stevens Cap*
Co 1 Jonathan Chase
N. Grantham July 27 1777
Sir I have Inlisted our Complement of men agreeable to y e
orders of the 23 Instant their names are Isaac Jenne Stephen
Colton and Lemuel Colton. But they have receiv d no Orders
when nor where to march
I am your humble Servant
Abel Stevens Cap*
To major Francis Smith
[4- 1 48] [Relative to Town Lines. ~\
These may certify whom it may Concern that Canaan has
Served the Select men of this Town with the coppy of a Peti-
tion to y e Ho n y e General Court of N Hampshire concerning y e
Lines of S d Canaan
N Grantham March y e 14, 17S1
Abel Stevens ) Select
James Jenne j men
GRANTHAM. 59
[4-149] \_Inventory for 1775 ]
Inventory of the Poles and rateable Estate in the Township
of New Grantham for the year 1775
Number of Poles 14 — Number of horses 5 — Number of
oxen 9 — Number of Cowes 13 — Number of horses and cattel
3 yr old 2 — Number of horses and Cattel 2 years old 4 — Number
of horses and Cattle one years old o — Number of acres of
plowing and moing land 33 — Number of acres paster Land o —
Number of Writes of wild Land 66
The abov writs Prized by the Select Men at ten pound a
write
The above is a true Copy of the Inventory of the Poles and
Rateable Estate of the Town of New Grantham for the year
1775—
Attest Abel Stevens ) Select
Elijah Gleason } Men
Cheshire ss New Grantham June the 2 nd Day 1787 Parson-
aly apeared the above Named Abel Stevens and Elijah Gleson
and maid Solom oth to the truth of y e above Inventory before
me
Nathan Young Just Peace
[4-150] \_Petition for a Parochial Parish, iy8o.~\
To the hon ble the Council & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Assembly convened
June 1780 —
Humbly Shews
Benjamin Giles Esq r in behalf of the Inhabitants of the
westerly part of Grantham and the easterly part of Plainfield in
the County of Cheshire.
That from local Circumstances they labour under great diffi-
culties & inconveniences with Respect to Parochial Matters,
which might be removed if they could be united into a Parish —
That the westerly part of Grantham is separated from the
easterly part thereof by a Ridge of very high mountains run-
ning quite across said Town so that there is scarce a possibility
of passing from one to the other — That it woud be much more
convenient for the Inhabitants of the Easterly part of Plain-
field, in those matters, to Join and be connected with the west-
erly part of Grantham than with the other part of said Plain-
field—
That the other Inhabitants of said Towns are willing they
should be separated from them & incorporated into a Parish for
60 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Purposes aforesaid — Wherefore he prays that they may be
erected into a Parish within the following bounds beginning at
the North line of Plainfield three Miles & Eighty Rods from
Connecticut River thence running south forty Degrees West to
a beach Tree marked standing in the South Line of said Plain-
field then Easterly by said Line & the South Line of Grantham
to the Top of said Ridge then Northerly by the Top of said
Ridge to the North Line of Grantham then westerly by said
Line & the North line of Plainfield to the place where it began,
to have continuance & Succession forever And that they may
be invested with the Power of Assessing levying & raising
Money for the Sole Purpose of building a Meeting house &
keeping the Same in Repair & for Settling & constantly main-
taining a Gospel Minister in the Same — & that they may be
liberated & exempted from paying towards the Same in other
part of their Respective Towns & as bound Shall pray &c —
Benj n Giles
[The parish asked for in the foregoing was incorporated
June 23, 1780. It has ever since been known by the name
of Meriden. — Ed.]
[4-15 1 ] \_Petition to have the Name of the Town established
as New Grantha?n, iy8y.~\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives now
sitting at Charlestown the Petition of Samuel Duncan in be-
half of the Inhabitants of New Grantham humbly shews,
That whereas the s d Township is recorded in the Treasurers
Office by the Name of Grantham, and the Inhabitants of s d
Township being settled under the Name of New Grantham as
appears by the Charter, it makes it very difficult for s d Inhabi-
tants to collect any Taxes ; the Warrants issuing from the
Treasurers office in the Name of Grantham and the Inhabitants
and nonresident Proprietors holding their Title by the Name of
New Grantham, are unwilling to pay s d Taxes, and the Col-
lectors do not conceive themselves sufficiently authorized by s d
Warrants to dispose of their Land for the Payment thereof
your Petitioner therefore prays your honours would Order the
Name of said Township to be altered in the Treasurer's Office
and that all Proceedings of s d Inhabitants in consequence of
collecting Taxes by Order of s d Warrants may be established.
And your Petitioner further prays that said Inhabitants may
have an Abatement of their Taxes in those Years in which they
were doomed, they conceiving s d Doomage to be much more
GREENFIELD. 6 1
than their Proportion of Taxes which they are ready to make
appear by their Lists, and also desires your Honours to look
into the State of the Fine laid on s d Inhabitants for neglecting
to send Soldiers, and if it shall appear reasonable, make an
Abatement of the same, and your Petitioner as in Duty bound
shall ever pray —
Samuel Duncan
Charlestown Sept 20 17S7
[The foregoing petition was granted, as to the name, Feb.
5, 1788.— Ed.]
GREENFIELD.
This town was incorporated June 15, 1791, and was
composed of portions of Society Land, Peterborough, and
Lyndeborough, and land between the two last named towns,
called Lyndeborough Gore. Daniel Emerson, Esq., was
authorized to call the first meeting.
By an act passed Dec. 28, 1791, the boundaries of the
town were changed and established. Dec. 11, 1792, the
two east ranges of lots of land in Greenfield, in that portion
which previous to the incorporation of the town was known
as Lyndeborough Addition, were annexed to Francestown,
together with the following inhabitants : Ithamar Wood-
ward, Andrew Cresey, Francis Epes, Jacob Dutton, William
Draper, John Batten, Isaac Balch, Israel Balch, and Rich-
ard Batten.
July 4, 1872, another portion of this town was annexed
to Francestown. A portion of the territory now comprised
in Greenfield was settled in 1771 by Major A. Whittemore,
Capt. Alexander Parker, Simeon Fletcher, and others. It
has been stated that the name Greenfield was given the
town by Major Whittemore.
[4—153] \_Petition of Simdry Inhabitants to be annexed to
Francestown^ ijg2.~\
To the honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of
the State of Newhampshire in General Court convened the
first Wednesday of June ADomini 1792
Humbly shew
The Subscribers now living, within the bounds of the Town,
lately incorporated, in the County of Hillsboro' in said State,
62 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
by the name of Greenfield — That it is with unspeakable sorrow,
they consider themselves as included within the bounds of said
Greenfield, to which they have been uniformly & decidedly op-
posed, since the first movement with respect to said Greenfield,
& with which they never can with any degree of contentment
be connected — The high opinion they entertain of the wisdom
& integrity of the honorable General Court, convinces them
that their situations & dispositions were misrepresented to the
Court, or they never would have passed an Act, which your
petitioners consider, as totally disfranchising them from all
Town priviledges, to which they were before entitled in Lynde-
borough. There they had spent their best days in bringing
forward the Town, building a meeting house, settling a minis-
ter & providing for the education of their children, & flattered
themselves, that under the enjoyment of our present constitu-
tion, the second article, of the bill of Rights, w r ould have been
a sufficient security against their being deprived, of those means
of happiness without their consent, & are so pained at the Idea
of finding themselves and their posterity in a place, where the
greatest part of the burden, incident to new Towns, are yet to
be submitted to, & their future prospects of ever enjoying the
advantages, they once had of the Gospel — & of Schools &c. —
that they are constrained to apply to your honours, and with
the most profound humility, but greatest importunity supplicate
the further attention of the honorable General Court to their
unhappy situation — With the provision made for their poling
to Lyndeboro', they cannot consider themselves, as properly
belonging to any town, or entitled to priviledges in any — With
Greenfield they cannot join, with Lyndeboro' they can claim
no rights, tho' they doubt not of a friendly reception ; but do
not wish to be viewed as interlopers or enjoy priviledges by
mere Courtesy — The beg leave to suggest to your honours, that
the Estates of your petitioners, all lay contiguous to each other,
& are not mixed with those of any persons, who wish to go a
different way, That they are all on the borders of Francestown
& within two or two & a half miles of Francestown meeting-
house & the shortest distance from said lots to said meeting-
house but one mile & seventy one rods, & a good road leading
thereto — That they have long attended public worship in s d
Francestown, not only on account of its being the nearest &
most convenient for them : but on account of the minister
whom they highly esteem — & can be better accommodated with
Schools there, than in any other place — That the distance from
the place, now talked of, for holding public worship in Green-
field, is a quarter, or a third further, from your petitioners &
the road much worse. & always likely to be so, & the real
centre of Greenfield still more distant, and the annexing
GREENFIELD. 6$
your petitioners to Francestown will mend the form of that
Town without injuring that of Greenfield — Your petitioners
therefore pray that they may be rescued from the bondage of
belonging to Greenfield, or living within the limits of it, & be
annexed to Francestown, where they can enjoy priviledges,
which they will consider, as a compensation, for those they
had a right to in Lyndeboro' & on account of local situation,
superiour to any they ever can hope in Lyndeborough or in
Greenfield — Wherefore as your petitioners always have been
averse to any connection with Greenfield, as their interest, con-
venience, inclination, & local situation all so stronly lead to
Francestown — as Greenfield will not be hurt in its form, and
Francestown will be mended by our being set from one Town
to the other — as Lyndeborough have consented to release us &
Francestown to receive us And Greenfield have no present
right to us & w r ill be better able to do without us in all proba-
bility hereafter than at present, we therefore beg your honours
to set off the two east ranges of Lyndeboro' adition so called
containing six lots from Greenfield, annex them to Francestown
& thereby deliver your petitioners from their present distress &
misery, and they as in duty bound will ever pray &c
Ithamar Woodward Andrew Creesey Francis Epes
Jacob Dutton Reuben Kimball William Draper
John Batten Isaac Balch Israel Balch
Richard Batten
[The foregoing request was granted, and the petitioners
and their estates annexed to Francestown Dec. 1 1, 1792. —
Ed.]
[4-154] [Petition for Annexation of some Lands to Green-
field, 1793.]
State of New Hampshire County of Hillsborough
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives Con-
vened at Concord in said State the fifth Day of June one
thousand seven hundred and Ninety three —
The Petition of We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town
of Greenfield in the State & County aforesaid Humbly Sheweth
that it appears by the Charter of said Greenfield that the South
Range of the Odione Right so called, is divided nearly the
middle, and it being much to our Damage to be the outskirts
of two towns — We therefore pray you Honours woud take into
consideration and annex the remaining part of our Lands to
64 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the town of Greenfield the Bounds as follows beginning at the
Norvvest Corner of Greenfield, thence by the River to the
North line of the aforesaid South Range, thence Easterly upon
the North side of said Range as the Lines Runs to Frances-
town Line, thence Southerly to the Northeast corner of Green-
field on the Crotchet Mountain so called — & Your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound shall ever pray —
Samuel Hixon Samuel Butterfield J. H. Eaton
bengbeew Whitnee Jacob Johnson William Willson
William Willson Ephraim Hildreth James Bayley
JuiV
GREENLAND.
This is one of the old towns, and was settled in the latter
part of the seventeenth century, at which time it belonged
to the town of Portsmouth. John Farmer states that it
"was incorporated as a distinct town in 1703 ;" but I cannot
find any mention of it in the records of the council and
assembly for that year. The following documents seem to
show conclusively that Mr. Farmer was mistaken.
In May, 1705, the inhabitants petitioned for the privilege
of having a minister and schoolmaster among themselves,
and to be exempt from paying towards the support of the
church and school at Portsmouth, which was granted, and
Rev. William Allen was ordained there July 15, 1707.
Greenland was assessed by the assessors of Portsmouth,
and paid province rates in connection with that town until
1721 ; after that year they were assessed by themselves, but
had no representative in the assembly until the fall of 1732.
Jan. 3, 1 716, the inhabitants of Squamscot Patent, living
on the east side of the "line running from Wall Creek to
Hampton bounds," were "joined to the Parish of Green-
land." When Greenland became a town I am unable to
ascertain. It was called a parish in an act passed in 1757.
Dec. 18, 1805, some land belonging to Brackett Weeks
was severed from Stratham and annexed to this town ; and
on July 2, 1847, a tract belonging to Samuel Hatch was
also taken from Stratham and annexed to Greenland.
By an act approved June 23, 1859, tne divisional line be-
tween this town and Stratham was established, but said act
was amended June 27, i860.
GREENLAND.
65
[4-155] [Petition to have the Boundaries established, i/i^."]
To His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq r Governour and Com-
mander in Chiefe of Her Majesties province of New Hamp-
shir and the Honourable Her Majesties Council and House
of Representatives now Conven d in General Assembly
The humble petition of the Inhabitants of the parish of
Greenland Humbly Sheweth,
That there is great occasion for your petitioners to Know the
Bounds of their parish that they may not be Oppressed by be-
ing taxed as Some of them is Said to live in portsm parish or
in Bloody point parish ; but that a line may be Run betwixt
Greenland parish and Bloody point parish ; but that a line
may be Runn betwixt Greenland parish and Bloody point par-
ish and betwixt portsmouth parish & Greenland parish that
Every Inhabitant may know what parish he properly belongs
to. And that Such persons as your Excellency and thes Hon able
Board may think meet be appointed for doeing the Same ; And
that your Excellency and the General Assembly would be
pleased Soe to Order that your petitioners in Maintaineing the
principle School and poor among themselves may be Exempted
from all other Charges Save only the province tax, and tax of
the assembly ; all which wee humbly conceive to be Reason-
able
Wee therefor most humbly Crave your Excellency & their
Honours Concurrence to these our requests, and your petition-
ers as in duty Bound shall pray &c.
Jam 8 March
Tho 3 Perkins
Jonathan weeks
Joseph Berey
William Haines
Willa m hodg
Sam 11 Daves
Tho : Packer
Joshua weeks
Joseph weeks
Sam 11 neal
nathaniel watson
Ebenezer Johnson
John Cate
Beniamin Skilen
Israel March
Robart Goss
nath 1 hugen
daniel Alien
Josh Peirce
John Johnson
John Philbrok
John neal
robart briant junyer
Nathan Johnson
James Johnston
Nathaniell Berey
James Berrey
matth hans
John briant
daniel davses
Sam 11 weeks
Sarah Jackson
John Philbrok
John Alien
John Docom
[In council, May 12, 1714, Colonel Waldron, Mark Hunk-
ing, Speaker Gerrish, George Jaffrey, John Downing, and
Samuel Weeks were appointed " to ascertaine the Limits of
the said Parishes." Bloody Point was named Newington,
the same day, by the governor. The committee reported,
7
66 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
July 28, 1 7 14, that " We are of Opinion the Parish of New-
ington be Bounded from the River of Piscataqua by the
Inhabitants following viz. James Gray Henry Bennet Joseph
Johnson Sam 1 Tomson and Thomas Pickering upon the
Great Bay and that these present Inhabitants, with the
Lands and Estates they live upon and whosoever shall live
upon them hereafter or build within the Limits aforesaid
shall pay their parish taxes to Newington. And that the
parish of Greenland be bounded upon the Great Bay by the
ffarm of the widdow Jackson Joshua Pearce and Israel
March and soe to Packers bridge, and thence to Joshua
Haines M r Cates and Edward Ayres ffarme and from thence
Southwesterly to Hampton Bounds." Signed by the com-
mittee. — Ed.]
[ 4 -i S 6]
At a parish meeting holden In greenland march v e 15 th 1721
Voted Cap 4 Samuell weeks Cap 1 James Johnson Cap 1 Joshua
weeks for A cometey to treate with y e onroabell Lift aut goviner
that greenland be set of a destink parsh that we may have pour
to Rais our porposion of provance takexis within our parish
by John Cate P r Clark
[In council, March 21, 1721, the petition was granted,
and a committee appointed to establish their proportion of
the province tax. — Ed.]
[4-157] [Petition for Authority to elect a Representative,
I730.~]
To his Excellencie Jonathan Belcher Cap* Gen 11 and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Maj lies Province of New-
hampshire to the Hon ble the Council & house of Representa-
tivs Conven'd in Gen 11 ass 111 —
The Humble Petetion of the Select men of the parrish of
Greenland most humbly Sheweth — That the parrish of Green-
land being set oft' a particular precinct from Portsmouth and
Since they have been so set oft' hath not had any Vote in Chus-
ing any assembly man : nor hath not any power in their pre-
cinct to Make Choice of any person to Represent them in the
Gen 11 ass m
Therefore they humbly pray they may have Liberty and or-
GREENLAND. 6j
ders to Chuse a Proper person out of their precinct to Repre-
sent them att all times in the Gen 11 ass m & your Petitioners,
shall as in Duty Bound Ever pray &c
x r the i* 1730 —
Matthias Haines \ Select
Daniel Lunt ) men
Dismissed
[4-158] [Relative to Ministerial Taxes, iyjgJ\
These may Certify y* M r Thomas Packer, M r Thomas Mars-
ton & Will m Simpson Are Clear d from paying Rates to the
Minister of this Perish By atending devine Worship at the
Church in Portsm h
And likewise Will m Jenkins is Exempted being quaker
John Weeks Perish Clerk
Greenland Febur. 18 th 1739/40
[4-159] [Military Officers Elected, 1775. ~\
Whereas we the Subscribers inhabitense of gree
Nland being duly senseble of the Importance of
Being instructed in the militery art in this
Alarming cricis & willing to be taught the same that
We may be prepared to defend the libertys of our
Country which we hold dearer then our lives and
Whereas our officers heartu appoynted
And commissioned by the governer have been negle
Gent in larnying us the same we have tharefore
Thought fit to choose thomas berry captain
Greeleaf dark first liu* david simson second
Liu* thomas Johnson ensign we tharfore pray that the
Hon ble congress woud conferm our said choyce and
Yure petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Greenland June 26 1775
Thomas Marston Ebenezar Johnson John Rawlings
Th 8 Brackett Sen r Noah Haines
Thomas Nudd Thomas Berry Ju r william Lucy
Joseph Wiggin Joseph Cate Samuel Philbrook
B ' ' ">? N d J er emiah Holmes Nathaniel Marston 3 rd
J his Nathanael MarstonJ r Jeremiah mason
Nathaniel Avery Johnson Hoore T , J 1 "™'*^,
Tose h X thustain Samuel Nudd
J " mark David Wiggin Pike Burnum
68
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joshua Berry
John Haines jr
Nathan X Haines
mark
Winthrop Johnson
Joshua Johnson
George Lang
David Johnson
Matthias Haines
John Folsom
Joshua Bracket!
Abraham Dearborn
William Simson J r
Simeon Norton
James Berry
Samuel Dearborn
Thomas Lang
Job Chapman
John Philbrook
William Berry
John Johnson J r
William pirkins
John Johnson
Nathaniel Haines
thomas dearborn
Richard Tarlton
Samuel huggens
Abraham Johnson
Joshua call
William Simson
William Berry J r
Benjamin Norton
Benjamin Norton
JuiV
Phinehas W T eeks
[4-160] [ Vote relative to forming a State Government,
i 77 6.-\
Colony of New Hampshire
To the hon hle Council & House of Representatives lately ap-
pointed for said Colony —
At a legal full Meeting of us the Freeholders & Inhabitants
of Greenland in the County of Rockingham, on Friday y e 12 th
Day of Jan y 1776, to consider of the Propriety & Expediency
of forming a new Government in this Colony — After mature
Deliberation upon this very interesting & important Concern,
We are clearly of Opinion that the erecting of a new Govern-
ment in this Colony at this critical moment is unnecessary &
impolitic, unnecessary as all the Business of the Colony might
as effectually be done in Congress as under the present new
form of Government and impolitic as it wears the appearance
of a permanent Government & savours of Independance and
in its Consequences is likely to prove detrimental to the glori
ous Cause in which all the Colonies are embarked and to dis-
arm our Friends in great Britain of the most powerful Weap-
ons in our favor Wherefore we humbly pray that the hon ble
Council & House of Representatives would resolve themselves
again into a Congress which was the Line in which their Con-
stituents expected they would conduct —
Voted, unanimously That William Weeks Esq r be desired in
Behalf of the Town to present the foregoing Draught
A true Copy
attest : William Pickering Clerk
Po T.
[R. 2-26]
[This is a detailed account of Joshua Haines, of Green-
GREENLAND. 69
land, for going to Billerica, taking care of and carrying
home one James Haines, a soldier, amounting to £75. He
was allowed £8, 15. — Ed.]
[R. 2—29] [Relative to Thomas Packer, Jr., Soldier, iyyg.~\
[In a petition dated " Greenland, Nov r 8 th 1779," Thomas
Packer, Jr., states that he " Engaged as a Volunteer in the
expedition to Rhode Island in the Company Commanded
by Cap* John Folsom, in Col° Moses Kelleys Regiment,"
was taken sick of dysentery and fever, wants the state to
pay the bills, which amount to .£31, 12. Capt. Folsom cer-
tifies to his having been a good soldier, and the account was
allowed. — Ed.]
[R. 2-32] [Soldier's Order.~]
Greenland Sep tr 29 th 1781 —
This may certify that I William Wallis of Greenland in y e
County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire do here-
by renounce and give up to y e Selectmen of Greenland the
wages which I as a soldier enlisting into y e Militia may expect
to receive from this State As witness my hand
William Wallis
[4-161] [Matrimonial Agreeme?tt, Thomas Packer and
Molly Tarlton, 277Q.~\
This Indenture made this twenty fifth day of December A :
D. 17779 by and between Thomas Packer of Greenland in the
County of Rockingham and State of New-Hampshire husband-
man on the one part, and Molly Tarlton of said Greenland
Spinster, on the other part Witnesseth, that whereas a marriage
is intended and proposed shortly to be Solemnized between the
Said Thomas & the Said Molly, in consideration thereof and of
the Mutual love the parties bear to each other
It is hereby Covenanted, granted and agreed by the Said
Thomas for him Self and his heirs, ex'rs & Administ 3 to and
with the said Molly her ex'rs & adm'rs that in case the said
Marriage should take Effect, and she the Said Molly should
survive the said Thomas, there shall then be paid to the Said
Molly her ex'rs & adm'rs out of the Estate of the said Thomas,
JO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
annually during her widowhood the Sum of Twelve pounds at
the Value of Money when Corn is Sold at the Rate of Six
Shillings per Bushel, and shall be entitled to live in the Man-
sion house of the said Thomas in said Greenland during her
widowhood free of Charge, have the use of the Cellar & What
it Contains Roots and Provisions liquors & c from year to year
the Produce of the Farm — and besides the General use of the
said House, Cellar Dairy & c shall have the southwest room in
said House, With one Bed Solely to her own use during her s d
widowhood Which shall be fitted up for that purpose by Said
Thomas's Executors. And it is further Covenanted, granted
and agreed by the Said Thomas for himself his heirs, ex'rs and
adm'rs, to and with the Said Molly her ex'rs and adm'rs that
in Case said marriage Should take Effect, and the Said Molly
should Survive the Said Thomas That then the Said Molly
her Ex'rs and adm'rs shall have and receive to her and their
use all the apparel & furniture that belonged to her at the time
of her Marriage — But in Case the Said Molly Should again
marry after the death of the Said Thomas Then from that time
the Said annuity Shall cease with the right to live in Said
house & to the Produce of the Said Farm ; and in the stead
thereof she shall receive out of the Estate of said Thomas The
Sum of Twenty four pounds in money of like value with that
before Mentioned to be paid her on Demand by the heirs, ex'rs
or adm'rs of the Said Thomas — Provided that the said Covenant
Grant and agreement with the Said Molly to live in said house
and to receive sufficient Provisions off the Farm for her support
shall not be binding in case the s d Estate is adjudged not to be-
long to Said Thomas's heirs after his decease —
In consideration thereof the said Molly for her Self her heirs
ex'rs and adm'rs doth hereby covenant grant and agree to and
with the said Thomas his heirs, ex'rs and adm'rs that she will,
in Case said marriage should take Effect and she survive him,
never ask or demand any Dower in the real Estate of the Said
Thomas nor anything as thirds in his Personal Estate, nor ask
Demand or receive any part of the Said Thomas's Estate,
whether real or Personal, and that neither she, her heirs, ex'rs
nor Adm'rs shall make any demand on the heirs or Assigns of
the Said Thomas for Dower, nor on his ex'rs or Adm'rs for any
thing Whatsoever that She might otherwise be entitled to as the
said Thomas's widow further than what is granted in this In-
denture, and that She and they Shall forever be barred and pro-
eluded of all other demands by Virtue of these Presents and that
after the said Thomas's decease She Shall and will at any time
on request, release and quit Claim forever her Right of Dower
and Power of thirds in Said Estate — To the due performance of
the Covenants aforesaid the Parties Mutually bind themselves in
GREENLAND.
71
the Penal Sum of Six Hundred Thousand Pounds, and inter-
changeably Set their Hands and Seals the Day and year afore-
said
Signed Sealed & Del rd
in Presence of
Joshua Haines
Jacob Haness
Sam 1 Hutchings
Thomas Packer
her
Molly X Tarlton
mark
[4-162] [Relative to Election of Representative, 1783. ~\
State of New Hamp r Rockingham ss
To the hon ble the Councel & House of Representatives for said
State in General Assembly conven'd at Concord the 25 th day
of Decern 1 " A D 1783
Humbly shew the subscribers being a majority of the legal
voters for the choice of Representatives in the Town of Green-
land in the County of Rockingham and State aforesaid that the
Inhabitants have long had the exclusive right of electing a Rep-
resentative for themselves and that they have very nearly the
number of male Inhabitants paying a poll tax for themselves
which the new Constitution requires to intitle them to send a
Representative and that the Inhabitants of said Greenland are
so situated as to render the classing them with any other Town,
Parish or Place very inconvenient. Wherefore your Petitioners
humbly pray that your honors would issue a Writ for the said
Town to elect and send a Representative to the next General
Assembly and vour Petitioners as in dutv bound will ever pray
&c
David Simpson
Jacob Haness
William Cate
Isaiah Berry
Nathan Cate
John Weeks J r
Ebenezer Johnson
Nathaniel Goss
Nathan Marston
Joshua Ayers
William Jenkens
Ichabod weeks
William Norton
Robert Tuften Phil-
brook Jr
John Poor
Bradbury Sanborn
Thomas Berry Ju r
Samuel Hugginsjun r
George Weeks
Noah Haines
Volintine Dame
Andrew Cate
George Lucy
Sam 1 Pickering
Jonathan Bailey
Benjamin Norton
Benjamin Norton J r
Josiah Haines
Sam 1 Philbrook
Thomas Berrey
Moses Brown
W m Weeks
Joshua Brackett
Nathanael Marston J r
John Weeks
Joseph Cate Jun r
John Thompson
Abraham Dearborn
William Willis
Simeon Norton
Rob r tufton Phil-
brook Senor
Joshua Weeks
William Jenkens
72
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John J Dearborn
George Philbrook
John Grant
Richard Tarlton
Sam 1 haines
Sam 1 Ayers jr
Samuel Cate
James VV hidden
Joh Ayers
Josiah Weeks
Clement March
John Haines
Sam 1 Dearborn
James Brackett
Samuel ayers
Joshua Neal
Tho s Packer
Will m Pickering
Mark Jenkins
Thomas Johnson
George Brackett
Simeon Dearborn
John Haines jr
David Wiggins
Jotham Johnson
Eliphalet Ayers
Enoch Clark
Jeremiah Cate
Bradbury Sanborn
Lewis Haines
David Johnson
Joshua Johnson
[4-163] [Petition for Authority to raise Money by Lottery
to Build a Bridge, iy8g.~\
To the honourable Senate & honourable House of Representa-
tives for the State of New Hampshire in General Court as-
sembled —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Greenland and others,
humbly sheweth that Rebuilding the Bridge over what is called
little Harbour River whereby New-Castle, or what is called
great Island may be joined to the main Land and a free Com-
munication opened between s d Island and the Country, is of
great Importance not only to New-Castle & Towns adjacent,
but to the State in general — That by increasing the Numbers
& Wealth of New-Castle, the Fishery will be increased ; and
the Wealth thereby obtained, be in the Issue thrown into the
Lap of the State in general and so the rebuilding the Bridge
afores d become of extensive & general Advantage — That on the
other hand if s d Bridge is not rebuilt New-Castle must empov-
erish & dwindle, & in Time must sink into Nothing to the di-
minishing of the Fishery and Wealth of the State in general —
And whereas the Inhabitants of s d New-Castle & their Neigh-
bours adjacent have not Strength to the arduous Work without
the public Aid : these are therefore most earnestly to request
the Legislative Body of the State to hear our joint Petition &
Request with the Inhabitants of s d Town of New-Castle &
others, and grant a Lottery to raise a Sum not exceeding fif-
teen hundred Pounds for the Purpose of rebuilding the Bridge
afores d under the Care and Management of such Trustees as the
honourable Legislature shall appoint — Which we your Peti-
tioners most dutifully pray &c. —
Dated at Greenland December 24 th 17S9
George Brackett Nathaniel Goss James Brackett
Joshua Brackatt Nathan Johnson J. Nathan Johnson
GROTON.
73
Thomas Johnson
Ichabod Weeks
Thomas Berry J r
Job Chapman
Enoch Clark
Enoch Moody Clark
Joseph Cate
Josh a Weeks
Samuel Nudd
Willam Jenkens
John Dearborn
John Wingate
Job Jenness
John Potter
Chas Wiggin
William Haines
Sam 1 Chapman
Levi Dearborn Jun r
Christopher Smith
Mark Jenkins
John Ayers J r
Francis Berry
Dan 1 Pickering Juner
Jon a Bailey
Jabes Sanborn
George Simson
Thomas Lang Ju r
Jonathan Wiggin
David Simpson
Thomas Lang
Joseph Clark
Ebenezer Johnson
Jun
Gawen Patterson
Josiah Lang
John Weeks
Mark Meloon
Jonathan Downing
John Fogg
Sam 1 Dearborn
Will™ Norton
Reuben G. Dear-
born Jr
Jonathan Piper
Noah Haines
Simeon Norton
Benj" Dearborn
John Hains
R Tufton Philbrook
Joshua Ayers
Sam 1 Pickering
Joh a Pickering
Jonathan Bailey J r
James Wedgwood
George Libbey
Clem 1 March
David Johnson
Joseph Dearborn
John Haines jr
Thomas Marston jr
Josiah Haines
William Haines Jr
W m Weeks
George Weeks
Stephen March
Levi Dearborn
Dan 1 Gookin
Rich d Jenness
Tho s Marston
Mark Wiggin
Joseph Dearborn
Nathaniel Marston
Benj n Norton Jun r
Benj a Swett
Benja m moulton
George Philbrook
John Ayers
William Jenkens
Absalum Pickering
George Pickering
Richard Tarlton
Abraham Dearborn
GROTON
The township was granted to George Abbott and others
July 8, 1761, by the name of Cockermouth. No settle-
ments being made, the grant was forfeited, and on Novem-
ber 22, 1766, it was regranted to John Hale and others,
who made some settlements in 1770, — James Gould, one of
the grantees, Capt. Ebenezer Melvin, Jonas Hobart, Phine-
has Bennet, and Samuel Farley settling that year. The
full conditions of the latter grant, however, were not com-
plied with, and Governor Wentworth granted an extension
January 24, 1772, for three years.
In 1792 a portion of this township was united with a por-
74 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tion of Plymouth, and incorporated into a town by the name
of Hebron.
By an act approved December 7, 1796, the name of the
town was changed to Groton, in answer to a vote of the
town.
By an act approved June 26, 1845, a tract of land known
as the Gore, and some other lots, were severed from Hebron,
and annexed to Groton.
Among the Revolutionary soldiers from Groton were
Gideon Fletcher and John Hazelton, in the First Regiment.
[4-164] [Election of Justice of the Peace, 1779. ~\
State of Newhampshire Grafton ss
To the Honerable Counsel and House of Representatives
May it plese your Honours that the freeholders and other In-
habetants of the town of Cockermouth at a Legal meeting may
10 1779
Voted that the Select men of S d town of Cockermouth make
aplication to the Counsel and House of Representitives for a
Justice of the peace for S d town also Voted that Cap* Eben Ken-
dall be S d Justice of the peace
therefore your petitioners Humbly Request that your Hon-
ours would appoint Said Kendall for a Justice of the peace and
that He be authorized for that purpose
and your petitioners as In Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Cockermouth may 30 i779
, XT . n . -d ) Select men
William rowers f CiA
ur , -r. ., > ot the town
rhinehas Bennett i r r^ i ^
J or Cockermouth
[4-165] [Relative to a Road through Plymouth, etc., 1781. ,]
To the Honb 1 Council And House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire in Gen 1 Assembly, convened at
Exeter, on the Second Wednesday of this Instant,
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Cockermouth, Dorchester,
Lyme, & others ; Humbly Sheweth,
That your Petitioners have ever Since the Settlement of these
Towns Labourd under many hardships, & great Inconven-
ienses, for want of a good Carriage way through that part of
GROTON. 75
Plymouth, that falls between Cockermouth and Alexandria,
upon the road that leads from Doct r Bartlett's Farm in S d
Cockermouth, to M r John M c Murfey's in S d x\lexandria ; which
is So extreme Bad at present, that it is not passable without
the greatest Difficulty on horse-back, much less with Teams. —
Besides there is a road, located and mark'd through the N.
W. part of S d Cockermouth, part of which is already cut out
and Cleared, and the remaining part, will be Cleared imediate-
ly into the Township of Wentworth, which Town is also, pre-
paring a Road, in the most direct line of communication to
Cooss. Your Honours will be pleased to observe, that when
this Road is Compleated, the Inhabitants of Cooss with the
Towns adjacent thereto, & likewise the Easterly Part of this
State, that have concerns thither ; as also the greatest part of
the Massachusetts, may have access & recess, to & from each
other ; fifteen or perhaps twenty miles nearer, than the Road
that is now travel'd : which your Petitioners humbly presume,
will be readily granted, by all the impartial, that are acquainted
with that part of the Country and also that it may be made as
good or better Road than that which is now occupied. — And
besides, the many disadvantages, that accrue to your Petitioners
and others, at present from the badness of that Road, throug
that part of Plymouth above mention'd, your Honours, will be
pleas'd to take Notice also, that the principal Impediment, with
respect of this new Road to Cooss, lies in this way through
Plymouth. — And that Some of your Petitioners, have made re-
peated application, to Plymouth for a reparation of this Road,
but hitherto it has been to no effect.
And the Inhabitants of Cockermouth, have also Petitioned to
this Honb 1 House heretofore, for redress upon this Head, which
was then read, and postponed, by reason of the member from
Plymouth, engaging that this Road Should be repair'd immedi-
ately ; but it has Still been neglected.
Therefore your Petitioners humbly conceive, that your Hon-
ours, will at once See the Necessity, Propriety and public
Utility, in the immediate Reparation of S d Road, and humbly
Pray that the Township of Plymouth, may be compell'd Speed-
ily, to Clear, Bridge, and Casway, this road, So that it might
be render'd convenient, for passing — Or that your Honours,
would be pleas'd to appoint Some other method whereby S d
Road may become Commodious for the Public benefit.
And as in Duty bound your Petitioners will ever Pray &c.
March 2 d 1781
Sam 1 Piper Benj n Piper Sol n Blood
David Clerk Step n Ames Peter Gilman
Elijah Noyes W m Powers Nath 1 Fyfield
7 6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sam 1 Page
Pelatiah Bartlett
Jotham Gillis
Tyschal Cleaveland
Tho s Gilbert
Benj" Rise
Silvanus Wood-
worth
John Woodworth
Jacob Ceaford
Tho s Clement
Asa Foster
Jon a Bates
Abr m Bnell
Sim 11 Lovejoy
Sam 1 Hazeltine
James Colburn
Isaac Powers
Eben r Melvin
Sam 1 Farley
Tho 8 Caldwell
James Walker
James Goold
W m Taylor
Tho s Folsom
David Flanders
Abner Ingraham
Andrew Hicok
Alex r Jameson
Tho s Mills
Joseph Rogers
Tho s Nevins Jun r
Eben r Melvin J r
David Hale
Enoch Noyes Jun r
Jerath 1 Bowers
Timothy Blood
Nehemiah Hardy
Sam 1 Perley
Sam 1 Fellow r s
Alex r Caldwell
John House
Nath 1 Lord
Jn° Sulloway
Junia Ingraham Jun r
Junia Ingraham
Gideon Bridgman
Daniel Jameson
Nath 1 Green
Zeb n Gilman
Eben r Phelps
Sam 1 Phelps
Nath 1 Ball
John Hale
Jacob Lovejoy
Step n Ames Jun
Eben r Kendall
N. Gilman
Peter Gilman J r
[4-166] ^Petition relative to Road through Alexandria, iy82.~\
To the Honorable Council, and House of Representatives for
the State of Newhampshire, In General Assembly Convened,
at Concord March 1782.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Cockermouth, Dorchester,
and others :
Humbly Sheweth, That the Road from the Northerly Line of
Alexandria through which Town Your Petitioners & others
must pass, to Transact near all our Publick Business of import-
ance is Extreme Bad, and uncomfortable to Travil in. That
Some of your Petitioners have often Broke their Slays, Sleds,
and Carriages in Conveying the Necesaries of Life to our Fam-
ilies through S d Town. Our Selves, Oxen, and Horses have
often Been Greatly Ingur'd, by the Badness of S d Road, and
this too, more or Less, at all Seasons of the Year.
Your Honors will further Observe, That Repeated applica-
tions have Been made to the S d Alexandria, to make S d Road a
good Waggon one, Notwithstanding which the S d Road Re-
mains as is above Represented. Wherefore Your Petitioners
Humbly Pray that the S d Alexandria May be enabled and Com-
pell'd or the Proprietors of said Town to make us a good
Waggon Road, from the Road lately Repaired By the Propri-
etors of Plymouth on the Northerly Line of S d alexandria, to
GROTON.
77
Joshua Tolphords Esq, in S d Town, and as In Duty Bound
your Petitioners Shall ever Pray &c.
Cockermouth March 12 1782.
Jonth Bartlet
Zechariah Kemp
Thomas Nevens
Samuel Hazelton
Evan Bartlett
Jerathmel Bowers
Thomas Nevins Ju 1
uriah Pike
Nehemiah Hardy
Jeremiah newhall
Peter Gilman Jr
Isaac Powers
N Gilman
John Haselton
Enoch Noyes
Peter Gilman Hazel-
tine
Eben melven
John Hobart
Sam 11 Farley
Zeb n Gilman
Abraham Buell
Simeon Lovejoy
Timothy Blood
Gershom Hobart
Jonathan Bates
Samuel Perley
Eb r Kendall
Jasariah Crosby
Jonas Hobart
Stephen Ames
Nath 11 Gilman
Ezekiel Metcalf
Jacob Perkins
Stephen Goodhue
Henry Phelps
[In H. of Rep., March 27, 1782, a hearing was ordered
for the next session. — Ed.]
[4-167] \_Capt. Edmund Shattuck recommended for a Mag-
istrate, iy8j.~]
To his Excellency the Presedant of the State of New Hamp-
shire
May it please your Excellency
We your dutifull Petitioners free holders and other Inhab-
itants of the Town of Cockermouth in the County of Grafton
and State aforesaid we understand that we have know Commis-
sion of Peace Granted to us although this Town is but Small as
tis in Number we think that we Stand in need of a Commission
of the Peace in it by reason of our Loes and other Circum-
stances So tharefore we Humbly present this petition to your
Excellency that if it wold Please your Excellency that you would
Grant a Commision to Cap* Edmond Shattuck of this town.
and as in duty bound Shall ever Pray &c
Stephen Ames
Ezekiel Metcalf
Peter Gilmen
Eben melven Ju
Asahel Buell
William Colburn
John Woodbury
Nathaniel Blood
Samuel Metcalf
John Hall
Abel Lovjoy
Jeremiah Ames
Nathaniel Blood
Juner
William Powers
Ebenezer melven
David Hall
Thomas Ross
William Blood
Samuel Goodhue
yS EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-167^] \_Petition relative to Boundaries, iy8^.~\
State of New ) The Hon ble the Senate and house of Represent-
Hampshire j atives convened at portsmouth in the state
aforesaid the Tenth day of June Anno Domini 1785.
The petition of the Proprietors of the Town of Cockermouth
in said State of New Hampshire —
Most Humbly sheweth That in October Anno Domini 1780
The State made an act intitled "An Act to servey & establish
the bounds of sundry towns in the Counties of Strafford & Graf-
ton " which towns are particularly mentioned in said Act And
also in & by said Act among other things impowering Ebenezer
Thompson Esq r & others as Committee to survey & lay out by
proper metes & bounds the following towns viz — Rumney,
Wentworth, Warren, Plymouth, Campton, Piermont & Orford.
And a return of s d Survey being made into the Secretaries Office
under the hands of s d Committee or any three or more of them
in one year from the passing said Act, should be binding &
conclusive in Law upon all persons upon certain conditions &
limitations therein mentioned —
And whereas the running the lines of the afores d towns, your
Petitioners apprehend will be very detrimental to the town of
Cockermouth for the following reasons viz — First, That altho'
said Act sets forth that public notice had been given & no per-
son had appeared to oppose the same yet that the Proprietors
of Cockermouth who are mentioned in said Act & are material-
ly concerned in the Issue of running lines, never were notified,
neither was said Cockermouth ever notified as a town. —
Secondly — That the lines of the towns of Lyme, Dorchester
& Cockermouth were all surveyed by order of the Honorable
the Superior Court of the Province of New Hampshire, more
than ten years ago, which surveys were made use of in trials of
actions at law then depending between the said Proprietors of
Cockermouth & Plymouth, And that agreeable to said Surveys,
said proprietors of Cockermouth recovered in all said Actions,
& have constantly possessed, occupied & improved said land,
paid the taxes thereof, & defended the same against the Com-
mon Enemy throughout a tedious war & that a considerable
part of the land in said Cockermouth has been sold for State &
proprietory taxes within that time —
Thirdly — That by the return of the Committee who were
authorised by the before mentioned Act, your petitioners are in-
formed, the said town of Plymouth will have one line of about
two miles in length more than their Charter gives them, —
whereas in fact it appears that they should come to a point, &
leave out the said line of two miles, whereby a very large tract
of land is included, more than Plymouth Charter contains.
GROTON. 79
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray a day of hearing
may be assigned them and that in the mean time the said town
of Plymouth may be ordered not to make any assesments upon
the poles and estates of the inhabitants within the Claim of the
township of Cockermouth, until the boundaries of s d Plymouth
& Cockermouth shall be established by the General Court, and
that your Excellency & Honors would be pleased to pass such
further order thereon as you in your wisdom shall think fit —
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
R : Cutts Shannon ~j p
Noah Worcester ! ,,, ..
John Hale K the prop"
Edmund Shattuck j °f Cockermouth
June io"> 1785
[4-168]
It is agreed between the Com tees of Cockermouth & Plymouth
that the Petition concerning the boundarys shall be farther post-
poned to the next Session of the gen 1 Court in Concord which
may happen after the first Wednesday of June next.
May 10th 1787.
S Livermore for Plym
Sam 1 Hobart \ r
Noah Worcester > ^ 1 *l
T3 r* 4-u ci i Cockermouth
R : Cutts Shannon j
[For documents relative to foregoing, see Vol. XI, page
723.— Ed.]
[4-169] [Petition for change of Name of T'own.']
State of Newhampshire Grafton ss
To the Honarabel the General Cort to be holden at Concord
within and for said state on the first WednesDay of June
Next
the petition of the Inhabetants of the town of Cockermouth in
the County and State afore said Humbly Sheweth that whereas
we the Inhabetants of S d Town have for a Longtime been Dis-
satisfied with the Name of Cockermouth being afixed to said
Town these are therefore to in form your Honours that the In-
habetents of S d town by there Legal meeting Did meet in town
meeting in S d Cockermouth on the Eleventh Day of march 1788
and by their unamus voice agree to and Voted to petition this
Honourable Court to Change the Name of S d town from that of
Cockermouth to that of Danbury as by their Vote on s d 11 th
Day of march may more fully appear these are therefore to
80 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
pray your Honours that by an act of your Honours the Name
of s d Cockermouth may be Vacated and that the Name of
Danbury be affixed thereto and Known in Law as Such and
your petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Signed by order of the town
Eb r Kendell ) Select
W m Powers ) men
Cockermouth may 30 th 1788
[In H. of Rep., June 9, 1788, the petitioners were granted
leave to bring in a bill. — Ed.]
[4-170] ^Petition of Cockermouth People for a new Town,
His Excellency the President, The Hon. Senate & House of
Representatives for the State of New Hampshire in Gen 1
Court convened.
The petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth, that the
Southeasterly part of the Town of Cockermouth (by its natural
formation is so situated that a connection with the Southwest-
erly part of Plymouth (in all matters) would render it exceed-
ingly advantageous to us inhabitants of said Cockermouth. —
Wherefore we pray that a certain part of said Cockermouth
(beginning at the Southwesterly corner of the lot Number six-
teen in the first range & first division in said Cockermouth
thence running North thirty degrees East to Rumney line which
makes about a mile in width) may be set oft' from said Cocker-
mouth, annexed to and incorporated with that part of said Ply-
mouth now petitioned for as a New Township —
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Cockermouth Dec th 1791 —
John Haselton Samuel Haselton W m Cummings
Timothy Farley Nath 11 Ball Sam 1 Phelps
Jaazariah Crosby Abraham Parker Ebenezer Wise
[4-170] \_Petltio7i of Ply??iout7i People for a JVew Town,
i 7 qi.~\
His Excellency the President, the Hon ble Senate & House of
Representatives for the State of New Hampshire in Gen 1
Court convened
The petition of us the subscribers humbly sheweth, that by a
late establishment of the boundaries of the Town of Plymouth
GROTON. 8 1
(of which we are Inhabitants) our connection with said Town
of Plymouth is rendered exceeding difficult, as the road at pres-
ent is new and in a great measure unoccupied, and the length
of way from the principal part of us nearly six miles to the now
Centre of said Plymouth. And further that the greater part of
us have been at a great expence in settling a Gospel Minister &
supporting the Gospel among ourselves without any assistance
of the Town of Plymouth aforesaid, & having previously ob-
tained approbation of the inhabitants of said Plymouth by a
unanimous vote herewith inclosed and preferred to your Honors
signifying that our desires may be fully gratified
Wherefore we pray, that such a part of said Plymouth as is
expressed by metes and bounds in said vote herewith preferred
by the bearer William Cummings may be set oflf& incorporated
into a Township and that we the Inhabitants of the same may
be invested with Town privileges in such way as your Honours
in wisdom may Judge fit and we your Honours petitioners as in
duty bound shall ever pray —
Plymouth Dec. 7 th 1791
William Cummings Evan Bartlett Jerahmeel Bowers
Jonathan Morss David Cheney Josiah Hobart
Jonathan Bartlett Eben r Kendall Ebenezer Kendall
Uriah Pike Simon Lovejoy J unr
John W. Kendall Jacob Kendall James Colburn
Samuel Hasalton Benj a Haselton
Feb. 2 d 1792 Serv'd the select men of Plymouth with a true
Copy
per W m Cumings
Feb. 18 th 1792 the Petitioners comply'd withy e within order
of Court by serving us with an attested Copy
\x7-m r< • ) Selectmen of s d Cockermouth
W Cumings J forl79i
EdmShattuck J Selectmen for
Sam Goodhue T.
1 r T792
!belectm
s d Cockermouth
for V
March 1792
[The foregoing petitions were granted, and the portions
of the two towns asked for were set off and incorporated
into the town of Hebron. — Ed.]
82 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-1 7 1 ] \_Capt. Edmund Shattuck'' s Resignation, ijqi.~\
To His Excellency the President of the State of New Hamp-
shire —
The request of your Petitioner humbly sheweth that for
many years even from infancy of the Town of Cockermouth,
he has born a large Share of the hardships not only of settling a
new Town, but has for considerable time Sustained the Trust
of Cap* of the Company of militia in s d Cockermouth and inas-
much as he is in advanced age prays that he may be releas'd
from military exercises & your Excellency's Petitioner as in
duty bound ever prayeth —
Cockermouth Jany 5 th 1791 —
Ed m Shattuck Cap*
[4—172] ^Petition to have the Name of the Town changed to
Groto?z, iyg6.~\
The Hon ble Senate & house of Representatives of the State of
New Hampshire in Gen 1 Court convened
The Petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth That,
Whereas the Inhabitants of the Town of Cockermouth at a late
Town Meeting unanimously manifested their Desire that the
Name of said Town of Cockermouth might be altered and an-
other Name for said Town Substituted in Stead therof —
Wherefore we pray that your Honours would gratify the In-
habitants of said Cockermouth and order by act of the Hon 1
Gen 1 Court that said Town be Called Groton — This your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Cockermouth Nov. 24 th 1796
Ed m Shattuck") Selectmen
David Hale j of s d Cockerm h
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
December 7, 1796. — Ed.]
H AMPSTEAD.
Previous to the establishment of the line between this
state and Massachusetts, the territory comprising this town
was considered as parts of Haverhill and Amesbury, and
went by the name of Timberlane.
HAMPSTEAD. 8$
Settlements were made in 1728.
The town, was incorporated by the government of New
Hampshire January 19, 1749, and named by Governor
Wentworth from a town in England.
A dispute arose, about the year 1757, between the proprie-
tors of the town and some Kingston parties, who claimed
land under a grant from Massachusetts, which created con-
siderable bitterness, but was finally settled by the payment
of ,£3,000 old tenor, amounting to ^150 lawful money, by
the town of Hampstead, and the procuring of a grant from
the governor of a township, from which land enough was
transferred to the Kingston parties to satisfy them. It is
said that men from both sides went to the township thus
granted (situated in what is now Sullivan county) with bit-
terness in their hearts, but came to an amicable settlement,
shook hands, and parted in Unity, and named the town in
commemoration of the happy event.
By an act passed June 23, 1859, a portion of Atkinson
was annexed to this town.
June 28, 1877, a small tract of land was severed from
Hampstead, and annexed to Danville.
Among the noted early inhabitants of the town was
Richard Hazzen, a graduate of Harvard college in 1717. He
was a surveyor, and in March and April, 1741, surveyed the
line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, from the
south-east corner of the present town of Pelham to Connect-
icut river. He died in 1754.
Hon. John Calfe, born June 13, 1741, was judge of the
court of common pleas for twenty-five years, and for the
same number of years clerk of the house of representatives.
He died October 30, 1808.
[5-1] [Assessment of Rates, about 1764.^
An assessment on the Lands Possessed By those Persons
whose names are under written ; assess* By Vartue of a vote of
the free holders of the Town of Hampstead : in order to Settle
the Long & unhappy Despute that has Subsisted between the
Said freeholders of Hampstead that Settled under Haverhill &
Amesbury Title ; and the Proprietors of Kingstown or Clam-
ers under them :
John Atwood, Joseph Brown, Thos Crawford,
Sam 11 Brown, John Calfe, EbeiV Copp,
8 4
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joshua Bay ley,
John Chase,
Asa Currier,
Dr. Peter Eastman,
Joseph French, Jun.
Will" 1 George,
Reuben Ilarriman,
David Kadley,
En. Will" 1 Heath,
John Harriman,
Capt. John Hazen,
Stephen Johnson,
Charles Johnson,
Daniel Johnson,
John Kent,
Eben Kezar,
Sam 11 Little, Esq.,
Stephen Little,
Moses Little, Jun.,
Enoch Little,
John Mills,
Lieut Peter Morss,
Joseph Noyce,
John Plumer,
Wid. Sarah Clark,
Josiah Davis,
Caleb Emerson,
John French,
Capt. Eben r Hale,
Bartho w Heath,
Wid. Judith Hadley, Joseph Hadley,
Will 1 " Heath, Jun., Nath 11 Heath,
Benj" Heath,
Lieut. Benj" Emer-
son,
Dr. Joseph French,
Nathan Goodwin,
Capt. Hezekiah
Hutchens,
Heirs of Richard
Hazen, Jun.,
Sam 11 Johnson,
Caleb Johnson,
Dr. Benj" Kimball,
Wid. Kimball,
Eben r Kezar for his
wife,
Joseph Little,
Moses Little,
Clerk Benj" Little,
Will m Hunt,
Benj" Hale,
Wid. Sarah Hazen,
En. Jesse Johnson,
Zech. Johnson,
Moses Kimball,
John Kezar,
Daniel Little, Esq r ,
Joseph Little,
Capt. Moses Little,
Benj" Little,
John Muzzey,
Wid. Merebah Rob- Joseph Pilsbury,
Lieut Will" 1 Moulton, Capt. Will 111 Marsh-
Abel Merril, ell,
Hannah Moors, John Merriel,
Wid. Judith Plumer, Benj" Pilsbury,
erds,
Benj 11 Stevens,
Sam 11 Stevens,
Daniel Stevens,
Joseph Sawyer,
Jesse Turriel,
Otho Stevens,
Dc r Wait Stevens,
Levi Stevens,
Joshua Sawyer,
Enoch Sawyer,
Wid. Sant clear,
John Webster, Esq., Tho s Williams,
Wid. Mehe 1 Worthen, Abner Sawyer,
Dinah Roberson, Dr. John Bond,
John Bartlet, Stephen Bayley,
Job Rowel,
Will" 1 Stevens,
Arch. Stevens,
Wid. Anna Stevens,
Edmund Sawyer,
the-Rev d M r Henry
True,
Will" 1 Richardson,
Tho s Wadley,
Joshua Copp,
John Muzzey
Edmund Morss
John Mills
Committee
[5-2]
Province of ) At a meeting held at Timber lane on the
New Hamshire ) 13 th of July Instant it was voated that Mi-
Richard Hazzen & Daniel Little Esq 1 " and m* John Webster be
a Committee to prefer a petition to the Govenor and Council of
said Province to see if that Hon aWc Court in their wisdom will
HAMPSTEAD. 85
Incorporate Timber lane and Almsbury peak into a Parish or
Township
George Little Jun r
Timber lane Clerk
[5—3] \_Petition for an Incorporation of the Town, 174.6. ~\
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Governor and
Commander in Chief in and Over his majesties Province of
New Hampshire the Hon rble his majesties Councill July 29 th
1746.
The petition of the Subscribers for themselves & in behalf of
Sundry others to the number of About one hundred who live
in that part of Haverhill District Commonly called Timber-
lane together with that part of South Hampton District which
is usually called Almsbury Peak.
Humbly Sheweth That the Lands whereon your petitioners
Dwell as herein described and bounded & containing near a
five miles Square viz. Begining at the Southeasterly corner of
the farm commonly called Tyngs farm : thence riming North-
westerly by Said farm till it comes to Belknaps Land, So take-
ing in Belknaps Land & Richard Heaths Land, thence riming
by Land of Lieu* Caleb Page till it comes to Land of Richard
Hazzen, thence running betwixt said Hazzens Land & Clem-
ents Land till it comes to the Islandy pond, thence to the South-
east corner of Edward Flynts Land, including the Great Island
in s d pond, thence running by Flynts farm and takeing in
the same till it comes to Stevens Land, and by Land of Ne-
hemiah Stevens Northeasterly to y e Twelve rod way, thence to
y e Southwesterly angle of Sleepers fifth Division Lott, thence
Northeast to a line Northwest from Holts Rock, & from thence
to y e mouth of ye Angly pond so called, thence Southeast till
it comes to y e Northeast Corner of Woodbridges farm thence
Northwesterly by Said farm till it comes to y e way Leading
from Capt Follingsbees to y e Angly pond, from thence to North
East Corner of Obadiah Ayers fifth Division Lott thence South-
westerly by Said Lott to the Twelve rod way, thence to y e
Northwest Corner of Lieu 1 Hales Land & by his Land to
y e Southwest Corner of it, thence to y e Northeast Corner of
Tyngs farm & by S d farm to y e first bounds are very Suitable &
Commodious for a Town or parish and that we who inhabit
said Lands are so compactly situated, & by the blessing of God
have made such Improvements as that they are now able to
support a Gospell Minister amongst ourselves. We would
further Humbly Suggest to your Excellency and Honours that
most of us now Live far from y e public worship of God (unless
86
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
when carried on amongst our Selves) that we cannot possibly
attend upon it without the utmost difficulty & hazzard. We
therefore earnestly request your Excellency & Honours to Cora-
pasionate our Circumstances & incorporate us into a Township
with y e powers & priviledges that other Towns in y e Province
have, or that you will at least invest us with power to tax y e
people to support y e Gospell amongst ourselves as to your Ex-
cellency & Honours shall seem best for us, & for your Excel-
lency & Honours. Your humble petitioners as in duty bound
shall every pray.
Daniel Little
Benjamin Heath
Benjamin Stevens
Moses Gile
Ebenr Gile
Moses Copp
Otho Stevens
benjamin kimball
Nathaniell Heath
Samuel Plummer
Thomas Clark
Benjamin had ley
Thomas Williams
Jonathan Hunt
John Muzzey
John Johnson
William Hancock
Lemuel Tucker
JohnATen Gile
Stephen Johnson
David Copp
Stephen Johnson J
Peter Morss
John Plummer
Edmund Sawyer
rechard goodell
Henry Trusell
Jonathan Stevens
Jeremiah Eatton
caleb heath
Hugh Tallant
Ebenezer Johnson
Richard Hazzen
George Little Junr
Peter Easman
ur Benjamin Eatton
John Webster
Abner Sawyer
amos Clark
Bartholomew heath
Joseph Hadly
[In answer to this the town was incorporated by the gov-
ernor and council Jan. 19, 1749, and named Hampstead,
from a town in England, near London. — Ed.]
[5-4] [ Co?n?nittee to prosecute the foregoing Petitio?t, 1748."]
At a Meeting held Jan. y e 11 th 1747/S at the House of John
Bond By a Society of the VVest end of Kingston John Hogg &
James Graves were Chosen a Committee to Prosecute a Peti-
tion said Society have now in Court.
John Bond Clerk
for s d Society
Copia vera
[5-5] [Request relative toft
OrCO-0///rr
Pctitio?i, i?49.~\
Kingst July 17 th 7749
May it Please your Excellency & Hon TS
It is the desire of us the Subscribers that if our Petition ac-
cording as we were Sett of bv Kingston should not be granted
HAMPSTEAD. 87
and your Excellencie & Hon rs See Cause to Establish Timber-
lane that we may be established with them and that the North
Line may include the Farm that was formerly Sam el Graves
Deceas'd & the west Line may be the agreement Line between
Kingston & Londonderry
John Hogg
James Graves
John Bond
Edman Easman
[5""6] [ Committee to defend Kingston Lawsuits, iy68.~\
Hampstead August 22 nd 1758
At a Leagal Town meeting held this Day Persuant to a war-
rant from the select men of this town the following things were
voted,
I st Voted to Chuse a Committee to Defend and Carry on to
final Judgement and Execution the Case alredy Commenced
against Some Persons in this town by Kingstown in Respect of
Land title or any Person in this town that may be sued, By
Kingstown in Respect to Land title upon the Cost and Charge
of the freeholders of this Town — every one to Pay his Propor-
tion according to the value of his Land Calling it as wild or
unimproved Land
2 nd Voted that those Persons that Settled under Kingstown
title are free d and Excluded from Paying any Part of the above
Said Cost & Charge.
The Committee Chosen to Carry on any Case in Law against
Kingstown are Lieut Peter Morss Nath 11 Heath John Webster
John Muzzey and Eben r Gile.
Hampstead October 24 th 1768
A True Copy
Peter Eastman r pi u
[5-7] [ Votes in Town Meeting 7-elative to Kingston Claims,
1760.']
Hampstead Sept r I st 1760
This Day a meeting is Held Pursuant to a warrant from the
Select men of this Town and the following things were voted
(viz)
I st Voted to Give twelve Hundred Pounds old tenor to Kings-
town Proprietors for a Settlement with them in Respect of
their Claims, in this Town.
2 nd Voted to free those Persons that Settled under Kingstown
Title from any Charge in Said agreement with Kingstown.
88 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Hampstead Sept r 19 th 1760
At a meeting held this Day Persuant to an Adjournment of
the above meeting the Town Voted to Give the Proprietors of
Kingstown three thousand Pounds old tenor to Quit their
Claims to all the Lands in this town that was settled under
Haverhill & Amsbury title. Voted Likewise to bare half the
Charges in Gitting a Grant of the new township which was
Propos d to them.
Hampstead October 24 th 1768
A True Copy
Peter Eastman Jp, ,
[5 - 8] [ Votes of Town relative to Kingston Claims, 1767. ~\
Hampstead February 9 th 1767
at a leagal Meeting held this Day (by the free holders of
Hampstead that Settled under Haverhill & amesbury Title) by
vartue of a warrant from the select men of this Town The fol-
lowing things, were Voted, (viz)
John Webster Moderator
John Muzzey Chosen Clerk for Said meeting
This meeting is adjourn d to monday the 23 d of this instant
febr y at one oClock in the after noon.
Febr y 23 d at the adjournment of the above said meeting it
was voted as followeth
1 voted to Raise the three thousand Pounds old tenor form-
erly voted to Give to Kingstown Clamers, of Land in Hamp-
stead for their Claims, in said Hampstead : Providing they Give
us, the Deed already signed by a number of said Clamers : and
Likewise Give sufficient Bonds to Defend us against any that
may hereafter Chalenge Land in Hampstead under a Kings-
town Clame.
2 ,y voted that John Muzzey Leiut Edmond Morss and John
Mills be a Committee to Take a valueation of the Land in
Hampstead belonging to the above said freeholders : and assess
the above Said money and for Defraying the Charges of the
Settlement with Kingstown
March 21 st 1768 A True Coppy
Clerk
John Muzzey V for said
meeting
[5-9] [ Co?n?nittce appointed to settle with Kingston, 1767.']
Hampstead Dec r 8 th 1767
At a Leagal meeting held this Day by the freeholders of
HAMPSTEAD. 89
the Town of Hampstead, that settled under Haverhill and
Almsbury title Pursuant to a warrant from the Select men of
said Town the following votes were Past
1 voted that John Webster Esq 1- John Muzzey Benj n Kimball
& Jesse Johnson, Be a Committee to Give security (to Kings-
town Clamers) for the three thousand Pounds old tenor that was
formerly voted to Give them for their Claims in Hampstead.
2 ly voted that the above said Committee, shall apply to the
General Court to be enabled to Colect the Rate that is allready
assesst in order to Compleat the agreement with Kingstown
Clamers.
A True Coppy of those Purticuler votes Exam d & attested
John Muzzey Clerk.
[5-10] [Relative to the Settlement of Kingston Dispute,
n68 .]
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq 1 " Govenor and Com-
mander in Chieff in and over His Majestys Province of New
Hampshire & to the Hon le his Majestys Councel and House
of Representatives Convean d in General assembly for Said
Province —
The Petition of us the Subscribers in behalf of the freehold-
ers of the Town of Hampstead Humbly Sheweth That Where
as there has Been an unhappy Dispute Long Subsisting Be-
tween the freeholders of the Town of Hampstead (who hold
their Lands in said Hamps d under the ancient Grants of Haver-
hill & Almsbury) and the Proprietors of Kingstown and others
Claming under them : Respecting the title of Land within said
Hampstead : and to Settle this unhappy Debate ; the said free-
holders of Hampstead have Past a vote to Give the agriev d
Party Claming said Land under Kingstown the sum of three
thousand Pounds old tenor Equal to one Hundred & fifty Pounds
Lawfull money ; and Likewise to be at one half the Charge of
Gitting a Tonship Granted in order to Give to the Said agriev d
Party for their Clames in Hamps d and it hath Pleas d His Excel-
lency our former Govenor to Grant a Township by the name of
Unity ; that there might be an ammicable Settlement made be-
tween the Contending Parties ; Now the agreiv d Party Claming
under Kingstown has Recc d a Deed of the Township of Unity
from the Grantees of it and have taken the same in Part of the
above said Settlement, and now the one Hundred & fifty Pounds
yet Remains to be Paid to Compleat the agreement ; and al-
though the money be assess d for the Payment of the above said
sum and for Defraying the Charges ; agreeable to a vote of said
90 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
freeholders, yet we suppose that we have not Power to Colect
the same or any ones Purportion that Refuses to Pay it ; which
there is maney ; Some have farms or tracts of Land in said
Hampstead and Live out of this Province ; and others are Late
Purchessers and are unwilling to Pay their Purportion unless
they Can Come Back upon their Warrantees, for Damage as
being an incumbrance upon the Land when they Bought it.
So that we Labour under a Great Difficulty and Cannot finish
the agreement. Therefore the Prayer of your Petitioners, is
that your Excellency and Honnours would be Pleased to Take
our unhappy Case under your Wise Consideration and Grant
us Power to Colect the above said assessment as in your Wis-
dom Shall be thought most Proper. So that these unhappy
Disputes which have subsisted above thirty years may be
brought to a final and Happy End.
And your Hum 1 ' Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever
Pray.
Dated at Hampstead February 3 d 176S
John Webster
John Muzzey
Ben in Kimball
Nath el Heath
Jesse Johnson.
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 24, 1769, voted that the petitioners
have liberty to bring in a bill to enable them to collect said
assessment. — Ed.1
[R. 2-40] [Elijah Heath's Accoiutt, iy6o.~\
Province of New Hampshire, Hampstead January 21 st 1760:
I the subscriber namely Elijah Heath being a souldier in Col
Lovewel Rigement under Capt Todd ; and as I was going to
osswago I lost my Gunn going over the fauls it fell out of a
batto
Elijah Heath
Sworn to before Daniel Little, Dismissed.
[R. 2-41] [ William Heath, Jr., Soldier, iy6o.~\
[William Heath, Jr., in a petition dated Hampstead, Jan.
18, 1760, says he was "a soldier under Capt. John Hazzen
in Col Harts Rigiment," that he had his gun stolen coming
home, and wants pay for it. His petition was rt dismissed."
—Ed.]
HAMPSTEAD. 9 1
[R. 2-42] [Benjamin Morse, Soldier, 1762. .]
[In a petition addressed to the governor and assembly,
Jan. 4, 1763, Peter Morss, of Hampstead, says, "Your Pe-
titioner had a Son a Minor in the service of this Province
in Col° John Goff's Regiment & Cap* John Hazzens Com-
pany in the year 1762 at Crown Point ;" that his said son
was taken sick on the way home at the house of Alexander
Robbe in Peterborough. He presented a bill for care and
expense of getting him home, amounting to ,£34, 12, o —
and was allowed eight shillings and six pence sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2-43] \_jfohn Sawyer, Soldier of the Rhode Island Ex-
pedition.^
[John Sawyer, of Hampstead, states that he was a vol-
unteer in Capt. Jesse Page's company, Col. Gale's regiment,
in the Rhode Island expedition, and had his horse stolen
from him, and wants the state to pay 13 pounds 10 shill-
ings. He was allowed $45, Nov. 17, 1778.— Ed.]
[R. 2-44] \_yohn Eaton's Petition, Soldier, iy8o.~\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honourable the Council & house of Representatives for
said State in General assembly convened Nov r 8 th 1780.
The Petition of John Eaton of Hampstead in said state
Humbly Sheweth — That your Petitioner engaged in the service
of the United States in Nov r 1776 as an Ensign in Capt. Ben-
jamin Stones Company in y e 3 d New HampslV Battalion and
continued in said Service until August 1778? when the circum-
stances of your Petitioners family was such that he was induced
to ask Liberty to Resign, which was granted and a Discharge
obtained, Dated Aug* 2 d 1778, as will appear by said Dis-
charge —
Wherefore your Petitioner prays that he may be allowed
Depreciation for the Time he was in said Service equal with
others of like Rank.
John Calfe in behalf said Petitioner.
[He produced a discharge, signed " General Headquar-
9 2
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ters August 2 d 1778, by order of his Excellency the Com 1
in Chief
John Fitzgerald
V Aide de Camp."— Ed.]
[5-1 1 ] [Petition to be classed for Representative, 1785. ,]
State of \ To the Honb le the General Court for Said State
Newhamp re J convened at Concord octo r 19 th 17S5 —
Humbly Shews the Subscribers inhabitants of the Town of
Hampstead : That the General Court for Said State in the year
17S3 in Classing the Several Towns that were not constitution-
ally entitled to a Representative Left the Town of Hampstead
unclassed which has occasioned our not being Represented un-
der the new Constitution, and your Petitioners esteeming it a
great priveledge to be Represeted in the Gineral Court, but not
wishing to add to the public expences by adding to the num-
ber of Representatives and being informed by some of the In-
habitants of plastow & Atkinson that they are willing that
Hampstead should be Classed with them Therefore pray that
your Honours would appoint a day of hearing on this our Peti-
tion and Call on the Towns of Plastow and atkinson to shew
Cause, if any they have why the said three Towns may not be
made one Class for Representation
and your Petitioners as bound shall pray.
Abner Rogers
Edward Greeley
Micaj h Little
Jonathan Little
David Dexter
Ebnzer Coops
Noah Johnson
Abner Sawyer
[5-"]
Timothy Goodwin
John Harriman
Caleb Webster
Amos Clark
John Richardson
Joseph Webster
Daniel Little
John Brown
Levi Hildreth
Joseph Noyes
William Richardson Heze h Hutchins
Eliphalet Davis
Ephraim Hutchins
[Another petition of the same tenor and date contains
Ed.1
the following names
James Brown
Joseph Chandler
John Bond
John Gooden
Austen George
Samuel Brown
John True
Moses Little
John Adams
David Poor
John kimball
Jesse Johnson
Jn° Wiear
Thomas emery
Joshua H. Noyej
HAMPSTEAD.
93
Samnel Johnson
Juner
Samuel Little
Thomas Wadley
James Huse
James Atwood
Benjamin Tuxbury
Edmund Eastman
Ezekiel Currier
Jona. R. Hale
Samuel Johnson
Amos mills
moses Brown
Timothy Stevens
Andrew Bryant
Joseph Johnson
Joshua Eastman
John Atwood Jun
John Eaton
Job Kent
Jonathan Carlton
Joseph french
David Moulton
Moses Atwood
Robard Darling
Jacob Currier
James Shepard
Thomas Muzzey
[5-3]
[Still another bears the following names : — Ed.]
Samuel Johnson
Nehemiah Kelley
John Brickett
Thomas Wadley
Isaac Heath
Moses Morss
Samuel Currier
Jonathan Eastman
Jesse Heath
Thomas Williams
John Calfe
William Griffin
Thomas Emery
John Richardson
Reuben Harriman
Jabez Hart Jun
Joseph Currier
Henry Johnson
Jonathan George
Samuel Currier Jun
Josejjh French Ju
John Williams
Edmund Morss
Moses Emery
Walter Little
Moses Richardson
Joseph Noyes Jun
William Moulton
Joseph Chase
Benjamin Kimball
Abraham Johnson
Barthol w Heath
Peter Morss
[The town of Atkinson opposed the foregoing petition —
see Vol. XI, page 132. Hampstead petitioned the next
year for the privilege of sending one by themselves, which
was granted. — Ed.]
[5-14] [Petition relative to Paper Money, etc., 1786. ,]
State of New ^ To the Honb 1 General Court for said state to be
Hampshire > conveaned at Concord on the first Wednes-
) day of June Instant —
Humbly Shews
The subscribers Inhabitants of the Town Hampstead in the
County of Rockingham in said state that your petitioners La-
bour under many & very great Difficulties on account of the
great scarcity of a Circulating medium of trade also great un-
easiness has arisen in the minds of your petitioners and many
others on account of a Claim Lately made to the uncultivated
Lands within this state and as Your Honours are the guardieans
94
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of the Rights and priviledges of the people and as we have no
other regular way of redress that your Honours would take our
case under your wise Consideration and grant us releaf by act-
ing on the following particulars
i st ly that yould not allow those persons purchesers of the Al-
len Claim so called any part of their Claim within this state
2 (1 ly that not any of those persons that are purchesors of said
Aliens Claim hold any Commision of profit or Honour within
this state for the space of one year
3 d ly that the General Court take up the matter Respecting the
Masionan title to certain Lands in this state which we think their
title is not Good and that those Lands Claimed by them be Con-
verted to the use of said state.
4 th ly that there might be a Bank of paper money made to Re-
deem this states security
5ly that the General Court petition Congress to Redeem the
Continental paper Currency that is in the treasury in this state
the same being more than our proportion of the same.
61y that the ports & Harbours in this state be opened and a
free trade for all Except Refugees.
Hampstead June I st 1786 —
Joseph French
Joseph Conner
John Leach
Austein George
Jon a R. Hale
Ben in Kimball
isaac Kimball
Jonathan Eastman
Joseph Kimball
Peter Eastman
John Kimball
John Eaton
Samuel Kelley
John Colby
Joshua II . Noyes
Samuel Johnson
Nehemiah Kelley
Samuel Johnson Jun
Timothy Goodwin
John Harriman
John Brown
Amos Clark
Bartholomew Heath
Jesse Heath
Thomas williams
Joshua Corliss
John Harriman Jur
John Atwod
James Atwood
David Moulton
James Huse
Timothy Stevens
Beniamin Tuxbury
Joseph Johnson
Joseph French ju
moses Atwood
David Poor
John Darling
John Atwood
Andrew Grant
Willi" 1 moulton
Moses Wadley
Job Kent
moses Brown
Reuben harriman
David Dexter
Joseph Noyes
John Richardson
Eliphalet Davis
moses Richardson
H. Hutchins
Joseph merrick
Jonathan Little
William Richardson
Ebenezer Copp
Parker Stevens
Ezekiel Currier
Peter morse
Watts Emerson
Benjamen Emerson
Jn° Wiear
[For legislative action on the paper money question, see
Atkinson Papers, Vol. XL — Ed.]
HAMPSTEAD. 95
[5-15] [Relative to Revolutionary Matters .]
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon 1 the Senate and House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened —
The Petition and Memorial of the Inhabitants of Hampstead
in said state to your Honours respectfully sheweth — That early
in the late war with great Britain your Memorialists not only
willing to comply with every requisition of the Honb 1 Legislat-
ure, but anxious to have their quota of men in the field, gave to
several persons considerable sums of money over and above
what the public promised as an inducement to engage in the
defence of the Country — amongst others they hired one Brad-
ley Richards to serve three years in the Continental army and
paid him therefor Thirty pounds besides promising to take care
of and supply his family in his absence which they did to the
amount of upwards of twelve pounds more than he left money
with them to make provision with — That before said term ex-
pired the Army Petitioned the General Court to have the de-
preciation of the then paper currency made up to them which
said Court agreed to do on the following conditions, namely,
that all supplies Gratuities Town Bounties &c should be allow-
ed in part satisfaction for the depreciation and accordingly or-
dered the Several Towns to charge the state with the Sums by
them advanced as bounties or Supplies, as may be seen by a
Resolve of the Legislature of the 26 th of March 1779 in order
that each Town in the state might bear an equal proportion
according to their proportioned value and also to reward the
volunteer in as full and ample a manner as the hired Soldier —
That in consequence of the method pursued by the Legislature
there was with-held from the said Bradley Richards the Sum
of forty two pounds and upw r ards of the depreciation that would
have been his due had not the Town paid him said Sum — That
afterwards (to wit) Jan. 16 th 1782 an Act passed the Legislat-
ure which entitled the Several Towns to receive the Sums by
them advanced — That the said Richards has now brought an
Action against your Memorialists for said Sum of forty two
pounds and upwards for money had and received which if he
should recover it would open a door by which every Soldier
Similarly circumstanced might recover what has been stopped
out of their depreciation on account of the Sums to them sever-
ally advanced by Towns and Individuals which would intirely
frustrate the righteous design of the Legislature and leave the
burden upon such Towns as were foremost in the cause while
Towns that did not exert themselves nor procure any Soldiers
g6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
but such as enlisted for the public bounties only would go free
of any part of said burden.
Your Memorialists taking the matter into consideration &
knowing that hundreds if not thousands, of Actions might be
commenced on the same footing which might occasion much
uneasiness in the state and also knowing that Several persons
have been busy in procuring at small expence powers to recov-
er said sums thus deducted from the soldiers depreciation,
thought fit to state the matter to your Honours, not knowing,
but that you in your wisdom would think proper to interpose
so far as to point out some method of relief whereby your Peti-
tioners and others in Similar circumstances may be saved harm-
less, or point out such remedy as to your Honours shall appear
most agreable for which Interposition of your Honours, your
Petitioners at this time pray &c
John Hogg
in behalf of said Inhabitants
[5-18] [Petition for a Magistrate, 1788. ~\
To his Excellency the President the Hon bIe the Council of the
state of New Hampshire — ■
The petition of the subscribers freeholders and Inhabitants of
the Town of Hampstead in said State in behalf of themselves
& others Humbly shew
That the Hon ble John Calfe of said Hampstead Esq r is the
only person Commissioned as a Justice of the peace in said
Town — that he is one of the Justices of the Court of common
Please in the County of Rockingham and sustains other public
offices & appointments in said state which Occasions his being
absent from said Town a great part of the Time By means
whereof the good People in said Town & the vicinity thereof
often labour under great difficulties & embarrasments in trans-
acting their business, for want of some other suitable person
being appointed to the office of Justice of the peace in said
Town — That the subscribers are fully sensible it is not their
Constitutional right to nominate or appoint a person to that
office yet they entertain Such an opinion of the Candor & good
intention of your Excellency & Honours that it is only neces-
sary for you to be made acquainted with the wishes and real
interest of the Citizens of this state to ensure your favorable at-
tention — The subscribers therefore take the liberty to mention
as their opinion that Major Edmund Moores, of said Hampstead
is a Gentleman well quallified for the office of Justice of the
peace, and would give great satisfaction to the most reputable
HAMPSTEAD.
97
part of his acquaintance and would render service to the people
in this vicinity & do honor to himself & those that should ap-
point him — much might be said in favor of this Gentlemans
quallifications and Character in life & respecting the services he
has rendered his Country in the day of tribulation but as the
subscribers have already trespassed on the patience of your Ex-
cel^ & Hon rs —
Therefore only beg leave to request that the said Edmund
Moores may be appointed & Commissioned a Justice of the
peace for the County of Rockingham and as in duty Bound will
Pray
Hampstead May 9 th 1788
we also pray that Thomas Muzzey
who we hear is Petition d for may not
be appointed a Justice of the peace
Hez h Hutchins
Samuel Brown
Ebez r Copp
David Dexter
Moses Little
Thomas Reed
John Brown
Nathan Goodwin
Caleb Adams
moses Richardson
John Atwod
John Kimball
Nehemiah Kelly
John True
Daniel Little
Micajah Little
Thomas Emery
Jabez Hoit
Samuel Little
David Poor
Austein George
Joseph French
Timothy Goodwin
William Richardson
James Huse
Joshua H. Noyes
John Richardson
Watts Emerson
Abner Rogers
Job Kent
Beniamin Tuxbury
Nathan Hadley
Joseph merrick
Joseph Noyes
Joseph Noyes Jun
Amos Howard
Samuel Kelley
[5-19]
\_Certificate of Nails made, iygi.~\
\ To his Excellency Josiah Bartlett Esq'
j President of the State of New Hamp re
State of New Hamp 1
Rockingham ss.
These certify that James Shepherd of Hampstead has made
it to appear to us the Subscribers that he has bona fide made
and caused to be made one hundred thousand of Six penny nails
in his work shop in said Town since the Certificate given in his
favour the last year —
W m marshall ~) c , .
tu s A/r f Selectmen
lho s Muzzey > c tt . a
T , rr, ; for Hampstead
John lrue ) r
Hampstead June 27 th 1791.
John Calfe Jus* Peace
98 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-20] [Certificate of Nails made, iy<?2.~\
These certify that Dudley Kimbal of Hampstead has made
and caused to be made in his work Shop one hundred Thou-
sand of six penny wrought Nails, as he has made appear to us
the Subscribers
attest W m marshal!
Hampstead February 6 th 1792
Attest Tho s Muzzey Jus* Peace
To his Excellency
Josiah Bartlett Esq 1 " President
of New Hampshire.
John True Selectmen
[5-2i]
These Certify that James Shepherd of Hampstead has made
and caused to be made in his work shop in said Town one hun-
dred thousand of four penny wrought nails, as he has made ap-
pear to us, the Subscribers since he obtained a former Certifi-
cate from the select men of Hampstead for making nails —
Hampstead Jan 17 th 1792
Attest W m marshall 1 c ,
r™ 8 A/r [ belectmen
1 ho s Muzzey y c
T , ™ J ( for i7Qi
John irue
Attest John Calfe Jus 1 Peace
To his Excellency
Josiah Bartlett Esq r President
of New Hampshire.
[5-22]
This Certifies that Edmond Morss of Hampstead has Made
and caused to be made in his work Shop Two hundred thou-
sand of Ten penny Nails & Two hundred Thousand of Six
Penny Nails and one hundred Thousand of four penny wrought
Nails, as he has made to appear to us the Subscribers
Hampstead February 6 th 1792
Attest W m marshall
r Selectmen
John irue
Attest Tho 8 Muzzey Just. Peace
To his Excellency Josiah Bartlett Esq r
President of the state of New Hampshire
HAMPTON. 99
HAM PTON.
This is one of the oldest towns in the state, and origi-
nally included the territory which now constitutes the towns
of Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Kensington, and Sea-
brook. It was formerly a place of considerable importance
in the fishery business and in ship-building, and for some
years past its beaches have been much resorted to in sum-
mer by persons seeking health or pleasure. Settlements
were made as early as 1638, the place at that time being
called Winnicumet. The present name was given by the
general court of Massachusetts in 1639. It was " allowed
to be a town and hath power to choose a constable and
other officers," June 6, 1639, by the government of Massa-
chusetts, which claimed jurisdiction over it.
Considerable matter relative to the early history of
Hampton may be found in Vol. I of this series.
The south part of the township petitioned, in December,
1709, for parish privileges, which not being granted they
petitioned again in May, 1710, and were virtually success-
ful, so far as related to ministerial purposes. (Vol. Ill, p.
428.)
North Hill parish was set off November 17, 1738, and
incorporated into the town of North Hampton November
26, 1742.
Considerable dispute arose at sundry times relative to
boundary lines between this and other towns, and docu-
ments concerning the matter may be found in a volume
entitled " Town Boundaries " in the office of the secretary
of state.
[4-173] [Depositions relatiitg to Boundary Line between
Hampton and Portsmouth. i66g.~\
The deposition of Thomas Marston aged about 52 years & of
william ffifeild aged about 55 years
These Depon ts do testifie y* about y e yeare 1654 when m r
Seth ffletcher lived in Hampton wee y e s d depon ts were ap-
pointed to treat with Cap* Bryan Pendleton & John Pickerin
in y e behalfe of y e towne of Portsmouth concerning y e setling
of y e bounds betwixt Hampton & Portsmouth by y e Sea side &
wee y e s d depon ts mett y e men abovsd & shewed them y e power
IOO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
y* wee had to act by & they shewed us their power w ch was full
& ample for y e ends abovsd ; but y e s d Cap 1 Pendleton & John
Pickerin sen 1 " did question v e power given to us by y e town of
Hampton not to bee sufficient for y e attaining all y e ends intend-
ed, whereupon y c s d Cap 1 Pendleton & John Pickerin staid att
Hampton untill wee obtained a meeting of y e Select men & had
full power to act in y e behalfe of y e towne of Hampton & then
wee y e s d Tho : Marston & william ffifeild did treat w th y e s d
Cap 1 Pendleton & John Pickerin & after a treaty wee did agree,
& conclude & all hands y l Hampton bounds should
begin to measure to y e northward of y e Casway y* goeth
over to y e beache & from miles norward neare y e sea
side —
Testified upon oath by Thomas Marston & Willi : ffifeild y e
ninth of March 1669 before mee Sam 11 Dalton Commiss
Sworn before y c Court held at Salisbury y e 29 th of Aprill
1673 by adjornm*
vera Copia per mee Tho : Bradbury rec d
as attests Tho : Bradbury rec d
And Thomas Marston & John Samborn sen 1- doe farther tes-
tifie that y e next day after y e agreem* that y e s d line was meas-
ured, by Cap 1 Pendleton & Tho : Marston & John Samborne, &
y e s (1 line ended on y e north Side of Jocelins Neck where
wee sett up a stake & layd stones & finished y e s d bounds ac-
cording to y e agreem* under there hands
Testified upon oath y e 9 th I st m° 1669 before mee
Sam 11 Dalton Comissr
Sworn before y e Court held att Salisbury y e 29 th Aprill ; 1673
by Adjournment as attested
This is a true as attested Tho : Bradbury rec d
[The original manuscript is torn, which is the cause of
the blanks in the foregoing. — Ed.]
[4-174] [Agreement relative to Boundary between Hampton
and Ports 7?i out /i.~]
Wee whose names are under written Viz Bryan Pendleton &
John Pickering for y e towne of Portsmouth N. E. &c & Willi ;
ffifeild w th Tho : Marston for y e towne of Hampton have ac-
cording to power given by y e severall towns to debate agree &
determine about & concerning a line to divide between y e afore-
said towns upon y c Seaside & y e extent thereof.
Wee y c above named persons do consent & agree y* y e afores d
town of Hampton shall begin at y c Cawsway lying Eastward
HAMPTON. 10 1
from y e said towne towards Pascataway ten rod distance from
y e said Cawsway there to begin & runn five miles upon as
direct a line as may bee, keeping neare unto y e common way :
The w ch line being runn ended on y e Edg of Jocelins neck on
y e north side ; the said neck is y e next to y e northward of y e
long stony beach Bryan Pendleton
The marke of Jn° (A) Pickering
Will : ffifeild
Tho : Marston
This is a true copie as it stands recorded in y e I st Booke of
records for Norfolke pa : (46) as attests
Tho : Bradbury rec
It was recorded as appears by y e booke between y e 12 th m°
1655 & y e 24 th of y e said m° : Tho : Bradbury rec
The deposition of Major Bryan Pendleton aged about 70
years ; This depon* saith that hee with Jn° Pickering was im-
powered by y e towne of Portsm (but whither by y e select men
or y e whole towne hee doth not att present remember) to de-
bate agree & determine, not as arbytrators, but being sent by
y e town according to an act of y e gen 11 Court about & concern-
ing a line to divide between y e afores d towns upon y e seaside &
y e extent thereof, & y* y e above written was our determination
& further saith [not]
Sworn y e 2 d 5 th m° 1669 before mee
Elais Stileman Commiss r
Entered & recorded in y e County records for Norfolke (lib :
2 : pa 145) y e 16 th 5 m° 1669 as attests
Tho : Bradbury rec
[4-178] \_Election of Assemblymen, i6g i.~\
According to a warrant by me Received from Richard Jose
Esq 1- High Sherefffor the province of New Hampshire for to
convene the ffreholders together upon this day being the 27 th of
September 1692 to choose three ffitt and discrett men to serve
as Assembly men the ffree holders mett accordingly and made
choyce of
Left John Smith M r Joseph Smith & John Hussy
to serve as assembly men according to sayd warrant
As Attests timothy hillyard
Constable of Hampton
102 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-179] [Vote relative to granting New Town, Kingston,
j6<?4.~]
Att a legall meeting of the rfreholders of y e towne of Hamp-
ton May 17 1694
2 ]y It was voted that Capt n Henry Dow should goe to New
Castell : the 18 th of this instant month in the behalf of the towne
to the Honorable left nt Governor and Councell in obedience to
an order Received barring date the 15 th instant to manifest the
towns earnest desire that no township may be granted to any
persons to come within Seaven miles of Hampton meeting
House westward upon a streight Line
Voted James Prescott Senior appearing at the meeting in the
behalf of said petitioners did consent to this voat above.
vera copia taken out of Hampton Towne Booke
As Attest Henry Dow Clerk
[4-1 So] [Disbursements for Soldiers, i6q4.~\
Hampton Acc n Disbursm ts io br 1694
To Souldiers at oysteriver whose wages ) o
as per pellicular Ace* allowed 4 m j 47 » »
allowed to Capt Dow for subsistance of)
Sould" at the Fort 3 b hls Ind Corne j °' 9 ' °
To horse & man to bring s d Corne o, 2, o
Hen : Green Jun r for y 2 m° service at his grandfath 8 o, 12, o
To Jonathan Marston 2 days service Do, o, 2, o
To m r Hen : Green Sen r to subsistance of) ^ *
sold r : 17: days j 0,0,0
To Ephraim Marston going post from Hampton to
Boston o, 14, o
To Jn° Tuck for his horse for s d Marston o, 8, o
To Dan 1 Tilton for bringing letter to New Castle )
that came from Boston &C j ' ^'
To Cap* Dow for quartering Massachusetts soul d j 206
ace 4 as one man 13 weeks y 2 at 3 s per j
To Cap 1 Dow for a man & 2 horses for the Cap* of)
the Massachusetts sould 16 to Portsm c
o, 4, o
2, o
[4-1 81] [Selectmen about a New Town, 1694.^
Pursuant to an order from the Lieu* Gove r and Councill
Baren datte the 1 I th of may 1694 to the Select men of Hampton
HAMPTON. 103
Consarning A purtishon presented to the Lieu 4 Gover r and
Counsel Consarning the plantten of A new Planttaion And we
the Select men are bound up by the Towne nayther to give A
way Lande nor to Enter Change Lande with aney men therfor
we the Select men cante doe nothen Consaren Lande with out
the advice of the Towne
May 14 th 1694
Samuel Dow by order and in the
behalf of the Select men of Hampton
[4-182] [Election of Assemblymen, 1694.^
Att a legall meeting of the ffreeholders of the Towne of
Hampton the 29 October 1694.
left nt John Smith M r Nathaniel Batchiler Senior and Ens.
Thomas Robey were chossen by the major voat ffor to Serve as
Assembly men
as attest Ephraim marston
constable of hampton
[4-187 and 188]
[At a meeting held May 14, 1695, the foregoing three
men were reelected. December 24, 1697, Capt. Henry Dow,
Lieut. John Smith, and Benjamin Fifield were elected.
"As Attests Thomas Robey Constable." — Ed.]
[4-191]
[December 26, 1698, Dow and Smith were reelected,
with Joseph Swett, as certified by Henry Dow, Ephraim
Marston, John Tucke, and John Gove, selectmen. — Ed.]
[R. 2-33] [Hampton Soldiers, 1695, 1696. ,]
A true accompt of y e Soldiers & Provisions I have Impresd
out of Hampton for his Majestys Servise at garison at oyster
River Since Novemb r 2 nd 1695 until '96*
£—S. d
Novembr 2 ( Sent to oyster River Caleb Perkins 28
-J days and John Nay 28 days and found
^ themselfs provitions 3, 12, o
*The year commenced in March, O. S.
i, 16,
i, 04,
1, 04,
1, 04,
1, 04,
10
1, 04,
10
1, 04,
10
0, 05,
0, 05,
0, 05,
o> 03,
IO4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nov 30 J Isaac Green 28 days & found provitions
( Eben Gove 28 days
Decembr 28 th J Jonathan Philbrook 28 days
{ Joseph Cram 28 days
Janury 25 th ( Chris Pottell 29 days
( Jacob Clifford 29 days
Febru y 24 Samuel Hely 29 days
Jos Fanning sent y c same day &
Returned y e 28 th being 3 days
March 23 Sam 11 Shaw sent and sent whome y c 6 th day o, 05, o
Sam 11 Melsher sent whome y e 6 th
a horse Impressed to carry y e Pro vi son
and a man
13, 12, 06
Joseph Smith Capt.
This accoumpt Compared by me
John Woodman Capt.
Dated Apr 1 7 th 1696.
The accoumpt of what was ordered to Exeter since Novem-
ber 14: 1695 until 96
£S.—d
Novembr 14 th Nath ffrench 28 days & Timothy
Hilyard 28 days 2, 8, o
Decembr 12 Joshua Purington 28 days & John
Mason 28 days 2, 08, o
January 9 th Joseph Swet 28 days & Joseph fifield 28
days 2, 08, o
Februry 6 th Moses Swet 29 days & Henry Dow 29
days 2, 09, 08
March 6 th James Stanyan 28 days & Will™ Swain 28
days 2, 08, o
April 3 d to y e 27 John French 4 days & Sam 1 Case 4
days o, 08, o
12, 09, 8
Jos : Smith Capt.
The above accoumpt Compared by me
Kinsle}' Hall Capt
a horse Impresed for y e Post from Hampton to New s d
Castle bountto Pemiquid and a man to bring him back 3- 6.
Dated Apr 1 7 th 1696
HAMPTON.
105
[R. 2-34] [Hampton Men in Garrison at Exeter, 169J,
1696.-]
A tru account of what is due to Hampton men for keeping
garrison att Exeter ffrom the 14 of November last to the 8 th of
Aprill 1696
£. S. d
To Tho. Dearborn Junor one month
To Caleb Towle one month
To Ephraim Marston and others one month
To William Lane and others one month
To Isaac Godfrey and others one month
To Samuell Dearborn and others one month
To Tho Ward and others one month
To John Knowls and others one month
To William Sambourn and others one month
To Jabez Dow and others one month
To Steven Sambourn and others one month
To Daniel Wedgewoods and other one month
To James ffog and others three weeks 2 day
To Ben Shaw and one more
To Sam 1 Palmer one month
To Simon Dow and others one month
To Jonathan Marston and other one month
To Ichabod Robey & Humprey Perkins a day apiece
and sent home
To Robert Drake & others one month
To Daniel Wedgwood & others one month
To Tho Robey 1 week diet his man
To two Samborns a day apiece sent home \
ffrom Richard Hiltons
This is a tru account compared By me
The Above is a tru account
Errors only Excepted By me
—4—0
— 4 — o
—4—0
— 4 — o
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
0-12 — o
-4—0
-4—0
-4—0
0—3—0
—4—0
—4—0
0—3—0
0—3—0
Sum 22-09 — o
Kinsley Hall Capt
Henry Dow Cap n
Due to Hampton men ffor wages at Garrition att Oyster River
and other disbursments ffrom November 1695 to Aprill 8 tk
1696 —
106 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nov* to John Marston To n Redman Roger Shawl £ S d
to John Marston Jo n Redman Roger ShawO
(Francis page Chris: Smith Sam Dearborn
2 ffrancis page
with their own provition each man i [ 10-16-0
month J
No : 2 to Sam 11 ffogg one month 1- 4-0
No br 30 to Sam 11 Nndd with provition one month 1-16-0
No. 30 to Ebenezer Webster* James Senter Moses")
levitt peter Johnson Jonathan Elkins Sam 11 v 7- 4-0
Johnson each man his month )
Dec br 31 to John Taylor Isaac Webster James Moul- ^
ton Ben James Ben Thomas Eben. Dear- [■ 8- 8-0
born Moses Elkins each man his month )
January 27 to John Hobs ffor his man and ) o
James Senter each man a month j
24 february to Daniel Kincaid Thomas levitt Sam 1 ^
ffogg Sam 1 Smith Nehemiah Hobs Jo- 1 o_ o
seph Moulton Roger Shaw each man a [
month J
24 March to Henry Dow ffor 143 pound pork ffor the") _
sayd men att 3 d per pound j *> "
to Joseph Moulton when his month is out 1- 4-0
43" 3-9
This account is owned by me
John Woodman Capt n
24 february to a man & Hoss imprest to carry the said
pork to oyster River Round by Exeter the
way being bad o- 5-0
January 27 to 4 men sent to oyster and sent home )
again being 3 days apece S
Mar 24 to five men sent to Oyster River and )
sent Home again 3 days apece j -*
£44- 8-9
22- 9-0
£66-17-9
A true account Errors only Excepted
By me Henry Dow Capt n
•"Ebenezer Webster was a son of Thomas Webster, who died in Hampton in 1715, aped 83.
He had a son Kbcnezer, and a grandson by the same name, who was born in Kingston in
1739, and settled in Salisbury in 1763. The latter was one of" Rogers' Rangers," and was
in the army in 1757 to 1759. He commanded a company at Bennington, and was the father
of Ezekiel, born 1780, and Daniel, bom 1782.
HAMPTON.
I07
[R. 2-35] \_Hampton Soldiers, April to September, i6g6.~\
Province of New Hampshire
Account of Soldiers Impresed to keep Garrison Since Apr 1 y e
7 th 1696 untill Sep r y e 30 th 1696 at oyster River Exeter and
Hampton by warrant from me out of one of y e Companys in
Hampton
1696
from Ap 1 7
to Ap 1 13
from Ap 1 13
to May 1 1
from May 11
to June 8
from June 8
to July 6
from July 6
to August 3
from August 3
to August 31
from Ap 1 13
to Septem b
3°
Octobr y e 1
to Octobr 29
John ffrench & Sam 11 Cass at M r
Wiggoms at Exeter, to each 6
days, Kinsley hall Capt £10-0
Philemon Blake, John Chase, &
Wil m Smith at oyster River 28
days to each 3-12-0
John Garland, Caleb Shaw, and
Ben 11 Batcheldr, at oyster River
28 days to each 3-12-0
Richard Sanborn, Edw ffifield, &
Josiah Shaw, at oyster River 28
days 3-12-0
Philip Towl, Sam 11 Melser, & Jo-
seph french to oyster River 28
days 3-12-0
Jacob Clifford at oyster River 28
days 1-4-0
Natt 1 Blacklidge Service two
months Due to Joseph Smith O
River as per Deventerfrom Cap*
Woodman 2-8-0
one man posted at Dan 1 Tiltons
Garrison in Hampton being 6
months and 3 days 7-6-6
25-16-6
Account of Soldiers Impressed to Garrison
from octobr y e first 1696 untill octobr y e 29 th
1696
Nath : ffrench and Thomas Ste-
vens at Garrison at oyster River
28 day to each £2-8-0
Joseph ftaning & Benjamin Per-
kins at Dan 1 Tiltons Garrison in
Hampton to each 28 days
Errors Excepted
2-8-0
4-16-0
Joseph Smith Cap*
108 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Portsm Novemb r 13 th 1696
The within acco* Examind & aproved by
Kinsley Hall Henry Dow
John Woodman John Tuttle J- of y e Comitty
Theodore Attkinson W m Redford
[R. 2-36]
The Province indebted to thes persons for keeping of Garri-
tion as Souldiers att Oyster River since y e 8 th of Aprill last in
1696 due to Hampton men
[The following are allowed £1, 4 for one month, except
where otherwise stated : — Ed.]
13 April Jonathan Elkins James Johnson peter Johnson fran-
cis page Caleb Towle Ben Thomas James Senter
Samuel Son Tho. Dearborn Tho Dearborn Junor
James Moulton
11 May Christopher Smith Ebenezer Webster Joseph Tayler
Sam 1 fogg Junr Samuel Palmer Jo 11 Redman Stephen
Batchilder Ben : James Moses Elkins
8 June Isaac Marston Samuel Smith Jonathan Moulton Tho
levitt Roger Shaw Ebenezer Dearborn Samuel Johnson
Jo 11 Son Ens Moulton Jonathan Marston
6 July Samuel Nudd Peter Johnson Moses levitt Sam 1 Son Tho
Dearborn Tho Son John Dearborn James Senter Ben
Thomas 5 weeks francis page Jonathan Elkins
3 August Ebenezer Webster James Moulton Samuel Palmer
Ben James Joseph Tayler Ichabod Robey John Red-
man Chris : Smith 26 days Sam 1 Johnson 3 weeks
31 August Roger Shaw 31 days Caleb Towle Jonathan Moulton
Tho levitt Jo n Son Ens : Moulton Israil Smith Sam-
uel Moulton
i Bt of October Samuel Colcord 10 days Ebenezer Dearborn 10
days Ensign John Moulton 8 days John Tuck 8
days Jonathan Marston 1 week John Redman 2
days
from i Bt October Samuel ffog Junr 28 days James Souther Jon-
to y e 29 athan Elkins 8 days James Johnson 22 days
A true account Errors only Excepted per me
Henry Dow Capt n
This Account Is ound by me to be a trew Account
John Woodman Capt n
HAMPTON. 109
[R. 2-36] \_New Hampshire to Hampton Men.~\
A tru account of what is due to thos persons the province of
New Hampshire is indebted too since the 8 th day of Aprill last
for keeping garrition and subsistance of Souldiers 1696 October
29 Att Daniel Tiltons Garrition
Mepheboshith Sam- Ichabod Robey Isaac Godfrey
borne Joseph Towle Tho : Webster Junr.
Humphrey Perkins John levitt Junr. Samuel son of Hen
Isaac Webster J onn Hobs Dearborn
James Perkins Ben Lamprey Arretas levitt
Simon Knowles Jacob Browne Jo 11 son Hen Moul-
Sam 1 ffoge Senior Edman Johnson ton
John Berry Daniel Moulton James philbrook
William lane Steven Samborn Samuel Colcord
A tru account per me
Henry Dow Cap n
[The above were allowed six shillings each. — Ed.]
Stephen Bachilder 1 month att oyster River Nov. 2, 1695
Caleb Marston & Nathaniel lock 3 days apece at Mr. Tiltons,
Ap 1 9 to Ap l 13
Portsm : November 13 th 1696
The within acco 4 Examind and approved by
Kinsley Hall Henry Dow \
John Woodman John Tuttle >ofy e Comitty
Theodore Attkinson W m : Redford j
[Capt. Kinsley Hall was of Exeter, Capt. Dow of Hamp-
ton, Capts. Woodman and Tuttle of Dover. Attkinson was
of New Castle. He was sheriff of the province for some
years following 1692, and was father of Hon. Theodore At-
kinson, who was for many years secretary of the province.
—Ed.]
[4-189] [ Warrant for Muster of the Militia, i6p7.~]
Hampton the n December 1697 —
for Major Joseph Smith
In obedience to & pursuant of orders from White Hall bar-
ring date 27 October 1697 directed flbr his majesties Speaciall
IIO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Service to the Honourable John Usher Esquire His Majesties
Left Govenour & Commander in Chiefe of his majesties prov-
ince of New Hampshire in America &C You are in his majes-
ties name required to give notice to all Capt ns militia officers &
Souldiers in the Town of Hampton to appear in armes on
Munday next being the 13 th instant att ten of the clock in the
fourenoone in order to Complyance with sayd orders as thay
and every of them will answer the contrary for the Highest Con-
tempt Given under my Hand and seale att Armes the day and
yeare above written
John Usher Left nt Governour
& Commander in cheife
To Major Joseph Smith
A copie
To Capt n Jacob Green
Pursuant to the above written warrant you are in his majes-
ties name required to give notice to all officers and souldiers
under your command to appear according to the above s d war-
rant att the meeting House in Hampton to morrow at ten in the
morninge
Dated December 12 th 1697
Joseph Smith Major
Vera Copia of the oridginall In the Hands of Cap tn Jacob
Green Compared By me
Henry Dow
Jestice of peace in new Hampshire
[4-196] \_Hai7ipton Men sent to the Fort, 1704..^
Hampton 20 June 1704
ffriend John Bickford according to order Received I Have
sent five laborarers and a Souldier to the ffort that you must
sett over (viz) John Dearborn Humphrey Perkins John Sam-
born William Marston John Redman & William ffifield Besids
the Sherriff Have ordered a carpenter to be prest out of my
Company that was, but is now a trooper if he come that make
seven in all besids Cap* Greens & he should send flour which is
all needfull ffrom your ffriend
Henry Dow Capt n
[John Bickford kept a ferry at Little Harbor, and took
the men over to the fort. Others were sent as follows : —
Ed.]
HAMPTON.
Ill
May 19 Jabez Dow Jonathan Moulton James ffogg
" 30 Philemon Dalton Icabod Robey John Knowles
" 31 Joseph Towle a souldier
June 9 Ben. Moulton Josiah Moulton peter Johnson
Robert Drake a souldier
June 30 Seth ffogg Stephen Samborn Tho Ward James ffuller
Sam 1 Brown Samuel Chapman
July 12 Sam 1 Dearborn Sam 1 Marston Icabod Robey
Joseph Taylor James Moulton Labourers
John Taylor a souldier James Johnson a carpenter
July 24 Ensign Samuel Marston a carpenter
Samuel Smith Caleb Towle Jonathan Elkins
Hezekiah Jinnis Isaac Webster labourers
John Chapman a souldier
[R- 2-37]
\_Hampton Soldiers, 1708. .]
A List of Souldiers Names, and Time they Served att her
Majesties ffourt, W m and Mary at New Castle in the province
of Newhampshire New England 1708.
[The following are Hampton men. The others will be
given in connection with the towns to which they belong:
—Ed.]
May 18 to June 1.
Christopher Pottle Jon a Philbrook
Jn° Wedgewood Chr : Palmer
Jn° Hobbs
June 1 to June 15
W m Mastin Joseph Brown
Daniel Lamprey Isaac Green
Moses Blake
Jn° French
Anthony Crosby
Seth Fogg
Jn° Gove
June 15 to June 2<
Jn° Green
Sam 1 Palmer
Jn° Brown
June 29 to July
Christopher Page
Sim Knowles
Ebenezer Gove
Stephen Palmer
Jn° Sambourn
W m Brown
July 13 to July 27
Jon a Taylor Zach Philbrook
Daniel Lampree Caleb Perkins
Benj a Cram
Benj a Green
Th° Mastin
Richard Taylor
Jacob Brown
Stephen Palmer
Israel Blake
112
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
July 27 to Aug 10
John Pickering Abraham Brown
Jn° Lunt Benj a James
Tim Blake
Tho : Batcheler
Tho : Phillbrook
Aug. 10 to 24
David Moulton
John Garland
Aug 24 to Sept 7
Jas : Chapman Ja : Carr
Phillamon Dalton Abraham Libey
Sam 1 Tilton Israel Shepeard
Sept 7 to 21
Tho : Marston
Abra m Libbey
David Tilton
Isa : Phillbrook
Josiah Dow
Caleb Swain
Sept 21 to Oct 5
Tho. Levett
Jn° Dow
Oct 5 to 19
Robert Moulton
Oct 6 to [9
Benj a Perkins
Oct 19 to Nov 1
Sam 1 Dow
Edward Williams
W m Sandburn
Jn° berry
Tom Dow
Jer : Marston
W m Lunt
Benj a Hillyard
Joseph Palmer
Sam 1 Melcher
Tho : Harris
W m Norton
Jn° Garland
Jacob Cliford
Stephen Sandburn
The men work att Six pence per Day
the ffourt
the Marsh for Sodes
the use of the gondalow for bringin
Day att I s 6 d per D
Jn° Cram
Shadrach Walton Cap 4
in Repairing )
the Sodes 15 )
2-0-0
1 -0-0
1-2-6
£4-2-6
[4-200] \_jRe??io?zstrance against a Township being- graizted
at Squa?nscot, iyog.~\
May it pleas your Excellency
Wee whose names are under written living within the peti-
tioned bounds of Quamscot doth earnestly desire that your Ex-
cellency and Honnors would be pleased to deny y e Request of
HAMPTON. 113
those petitioners for a town ship in Quamscot as for y e gener-
ality of y e said petitioners are poor people and several of them
according to y e best of our knowledg instead of defraying any
town charge are reather likely to be a town charg themselves.
Your earnest desirers
Quamscot desember y e fifth 1709 —
Edward fifield david Robison Joseph Rolins
Benjamin Brown Nathaniel Stephens Tho : Rolins
John Robards Moses Rolins Moses Leavitt Juner
Israel Smith John Clark Charles Rundlit
William Chiles John Mead J°sep Lawrence
Nathaniel Ladd Nathaniel Right
benjamin Taylor ionathan Robison
[4-201] [Another of same tenor, 1715.]
to his Excellency the Governour & Councell Sitting at ports m0
this 23 day of Aprill, 171 5
Wee the Representatives for y e town of Hampton pray that
where as there is a petition of a Company of persons for a
township at a place called Quamscock we pray there may be
no proceeding in y e matter before the westward line of Hamp-
ton be run for that Sundry of y e petitioners are persons y* have
no Land of their own but have entered into hampton mens
Land laid out into lots to perticular men & possessed more than
60 or 70 years since & there being severall writs against some
of them y e above s d petitioners Causes them to endeavor to
gett a grant of other mens possessions &C
Your humble Servants
Joseph Smith Peter Weare Joshua Winget
[4-201^ ] Wears Petition for a Township S br J d ij '17.
Too His Excelency Samuel Shute Esq r Govern 1 " in CheefTof His
Majesties Province of New Hampsheir, &C. & to the Hon-
ourable the Council of said Province —
May Itt Please your Excellency and your Hon"
In as much as ther is a great quantity of Land in this Prov-
10
U4
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ince unsettled & novvayes belonging to any particular Township
we y e subscribers do become your humble & ernest Petitioners
that A certain Tract thereof may be granted & Layd out for y e
Regular settel mt of A Township for us & our Heirs & other His
Maje ts Loyal & good Subjects — The Bounds of which Town-
ship we desire may Run from y e Massachusetts Line 12 miles
Norward & so 12 mils squar in y e Chestnut Countrey Commonly
so called — In granting of which Petition your Excellency will
greatly oblidge your Humble Servants
Joseph Tilton
Daniel Weare
Benjamin Pearkins
Joseph Sanborn
William Healy
Charles Stanard
Samuel Page
Zachrias Clifford
Benjamin SanBorn
Jacob Garland Sener
Tho s Crosbie
Jabez Smith
Nath 11 Samborn
Benj a ffifield
Jethro Tilton
Richard Sanborn
Jacob in 1 ' Garland
Nemiah Heath
Nathaniel Healy
Jeremiah Samborn
ruben SamBorn
James garland
David Tilton
Elisha Smith
Thomas Waite
Jacob Stanyan
James Prescut
Joshua Prescut
James Sanborn
Joseph Swett
Jacob Moulton
Hen : Lucas
pheliman Blacke
Bennoney ffogg
Joshua Winget
Jonathan Dearbon
Jn° Tuck
Josep Page
John Sherburn
Benjamin Thomas
W m Lock
Tho : Ward
Jn° Sanborn Rich :
Son
Tho : Dearborn John
Son
Nat 1 Bachelder jur
Josiah Sanbourne
John Smith
Abraham Drack
Jonathan tailer
Thos Philbrick
John Green
Charles Hunt
Edward Williams
James Stanyan
Jonathan ffifield
William Sanborn
Sen r
Ichabod Robie
Roger Shaw
David moulton
Jn° Nay
Nat 1 Bachelder Sen r
Benja Tole
Josh Lane
Jonathan Cass
Peter Weare
Jonathan Garland
Seth fogg Senior
Nathaniel Drack
Caleb towl
John Casse
William Ripp
Benja Shaw Jn r
James Dow
Edward W r ear
Samuell Shaw
Jn° Webster
Joseph Lett Jur
James Foog
Josep Tole
Josep Cass
Tho : Marston Sen r
James Perkins
Abel Ward
Jacob Carsfoot
Roberd Drack
John Webster Juner
Seth Fogg
Joseph Chase
Timothy Blake
William Couch
Joseph Low
Sam 1 Blake
Sam 1 Cass
Moses Downer
[The foregoing are Hampton and Hampton Falls names.
The petition was presented to the council October 3, 1717,
by George Jaffrey, in behalf of Major Peter Weare. — Ed.]
HAMPTON. 115
[4-205] [ Warrant for Parish Meeting, I7IQ.~]
This is to give notice to ye ffreeholclers of Hampton that they
meet on Munday the second day of March next att y e old meet-
ing house in Hampton att eight A clock in y e morning to choose
Town officers &c. — And y e fTreeholders of y e old parrish to con-
sider then & order about Raising the new meeting house and
order something about y e seates, & glass of y e old meeting house.
{February 21 st 1718/19 Nath 1 Sargent Justice of Peace
Tabez Dow ^ c ,
t • i tv/t i^ f oelectmen
Josiah Moulton r c tj *.
>• Dearborn ) of Hampton
Vera : Copia Test Jn° Tuck Town Clerk
[4-204] \_Falls Men present at said Meeting. ~\
Att y e meeting of y e freeholders of Hampton March y e i 8t
1 71 8/ 1 9 men there present of y e fales side & voted with rest of y e
freeholders to choice of Town officers
Philemon Blake Jn° Bachelder Robt Row
John Swaine Sam 1 Blake Jacob Moulton
Jn° Green Jacob Stanian Nath 1 Hodge
Moses Blake Ichabod Robie Cap* Jos Swett
Jonathan Philbrick Nath 1 Batchelder Cap* Joseph Cass
Jethro Tilton Enoch Sanborn Cap* Jos Tilton
Nathan Longfellow Sam 1 Shaw L* Benj a Hilyard
Caleb Swaine
[4-206] \_New Parish Men present at said Meeting. ,]
Wee whos naims are hear under Subscribed being at y e town
meeting y e 2 th of March 1718/19 did vote for Chusing town offi-
cers and thought it was our Duety and according to act of y e
honer ble Governer & Councell and have Reson to think all our
people that was thair at the town meeting acted in y e same
Nath 1 Bachiler Sen 1- Joseph Tilton Samuel Shaw
Joseph Swett Nathan Longfellow Jonathan Philbrook
Joseph Cass Enoch Sanborn
The above Subscribers are all the Leding men allmost in the
new parish & of Estats Save M r hilard who is Redy to Sub-
scribe but is at Boston which is a princble man
Il6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-207] [Petition for Grant of a Township, iyji.~\
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq r Governour and Com-
mander in Cheif in and over his Maiesties Province of New
Hamp'and to the Honourable his majesties Council the Peti-
tion of sundry Inhabitants of the Town of Hampton in the s d
Province humbly sheweth —
That most of the Towns and Parishes within the province of
New Hamp 1 have been favoured respectively with Charters for
considerable tracts of his Majesties Wast Lands within this prov-
ince for the making of new Towns proper to them, and though
it was proposed in the time of granting these Charters that a
Charter should be granted to the Inhabitants of the Town of
Hampton, yet through neglect due notice was not given to the
greatest part of the Inhabitants of that town to seek after a right
in any of the new Towns or in any entire body of Land for their
proper use, most of whome have done very great service in this
his Majesties province as souldiers against the Indian enemy but
have not been favoured with any share in the new grants, at
which they are extremely grieved, and therefore earnestly pray
for help from your Excellency and Honours, and pray that you
will please to grant your Petitioners who are represented by the
subscribers and a List of their names hereto annexed, a Tract of
Wast Land within this province to be embodied into a Town as
the other new Towns be, or that whereas your Petitioners are
informed that the Charter of Chichester is forfeited by the Pro-
prietors by their neglect of fulfilling the conditions thereof, which
Town was originally designed for the Town of Hampton that
your Excellency and Honours will please to make them a grant
thereof, and yo r Petitioners will punctually comply with the con-
ditions to be set thereon and shall ever pray as in duty bound
&c
May 1 73 1. Joseph Towle Thomas Marston
March y e 23 1731 an account of the mens names that peti-
tioned for a new Township
Timothy Dalton Samuel Hobs Benoni ffuller
Samuel Darbon Joseph Towle Beniamin M marston
Jeremiah Darbon John Garland John Towle
Joseph Johnson Jonathan Towle Thomas ffuller
Elisha Page Jonathan Elkins Jur Amos Knowles
Caleb Towle junior Beniamin Hobs Samuel Smith
Moris Hobs William Moulton John Hobs
Josiah Hobs Joseph Page Joseph Taillor Jur
Zacriah Towl trances Towl James Towl
Henry Batchelder John Page Thomas Page
Nathaniel Dearbon Beniamin Towle jur John Marston
HAMPTON.
117
James Godfree
John Weedgwood
James Hobs
John Leavitt
Ebenezer Godfree
Samuel Leavitt
Thomas Marston
Christopher Palmer
Joseph Batchelder
Jonathan Dearbon
Jonathan Godfree
Nathan Bleak
Joseph Moulton
Jonathan Sandborn
Jeremiah Marston
Henry Dearbon
Benjamin Towle
Moses Perkins
John Tailor
Obadiah Marston
Jonathan Tuck
Thomas Jams Daniel Sandborn
Joshua Towl Edward Moulton
Joseph Prescut John Johnson
Beniamin Prescut Joshua Brown
Jonathan Darbonjur Edmund Chapman
William Sandborn Reuben M marston
Jur Caleb Marston Jur
Beniamin James Jur Thomas Hains
Jonathan Marston Caleb Towl
Jur
William Sandborn
Richard Tailor
Caleb Marston
Abner Sandborn
Thomas Nudd
Wintrip Marston
John Nay Jur
Thomas Elkins
Nathaniel Mason
Jeremiah Towl
Samuel Lock
Reuben Dearbon
Daniel Collins
Gidian Shaw
Josiah Brown
James Leavitt
James Marston
Joseph Philbrick Jur
Stephen Smith
Thomas Batchelder
John Knowls senior
Nathan Marston
[In council, May 5, 1731-
sion." — Ed.]
Suspended till next Ses-
[4-209] [Bill of Expense for Constructing a Pillory, iyj2.~\
for Time and expense for the Pillorey that wee caused to be
built att Hampton In June Last Past by order of his Majesties
Court of sessions then sitting their the wholl charg forty Shil-
lings
Jonathan Marston
Benjamin Dow Select men
Sam 11 Palmer
Hampton June 1732
[In H. of Rep., April 29, 1733, 25 shillings was allowed.
—Ed.]
[4-210] [Petition of North Hill Inhabitants relative to pay-
ing Ministerial Rates: addressed to Gov. Belcher and
the Assembly, iyj8.~\
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the North Part
of Hampton in said Province humbly Sheweth That your peti-
tioners labour under great difficulty as to attending the Public
Il8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
worship of God at the meeting house at Hampton Town by
reason of the distance from it, That there has been for some
years past a meeting house erected at North Hill so called in
Hampton aforesaid, where there has been preaching at times
for some years past, that the charge of Supporting the Preach-
ing there has been carried on by a few, who at the same time
have paid the full of all Town Charges, That in many of your
Petitioners familys there are six or seven that generally attend
the publick worship of God at North Hill meeting House when
there is preaching there, when at the same time not more than
two or three of them at most, could attend at Town, That your
Petitioners are very desirous of having the Public worship of
God among them so as they and their familys may constantly
attend thereon —
Wherefore your Petioners Humbly Pray your Excellency the
Honorable the Council and House of Representatives in your
Great Wisdom and Goodness to take your Petitioners Case
under Consideration and to exempt your Petitioners Estates and
Polls and the Polls under them ratable, from being rated tow-
ards the defreying any part of the Town Rate or Rates of Hamp-
ton afores d for so long time as the Public Worship of God shall
be carryed on and maintained at the said North Hill and your
Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.
John Darbon Samuel dearbon J onn B. Redman
Jonathan Godfree beniamin hobs J omi Marston
John Widgwood Job chapman Thomas Marston
Jeremiah Dearborn John Godfree senior Daniel Samborn
John Marston Jun Simon Dearbon Benjamin Marston
Jonathan thomas Beniamin Marston John Godfree Juner
Jonathan Marston Jur Winthrop Marston
Henry Dearbon Nathan Samborn John Johnson
David Jewell J onn Leavitt henry Bachelder
Daniel marston David Moulton James Godfree
[In H. of Rep., September 3, 1738, a hearing was order-
ed for the next session. In same, November 15, 1738, the
parties were heard, and the house " Voted that the Petition-
ers be Poled off from Hampton old Town, and that their
persons families & estates be cleared from paying to the
ministry of the old Town, and from any payment to the
Widdow of the Late Reverend m r Gookin, and from pay-
ment to the Town School so long as they keep and maintain
an able orthodox Minister of the Gospell amongst them."
The council concurred, with this amendment, — "That they
be exonerated from paying to the support of a school at the
old Town no longer than they support a writing & reading
HAMPTON. 119
schoolmaster amongst themselves," — and further, that they
should not be discharged from paying their proportion of
the grant made by Hampton to the widow of Rev. Nathan-
iel Gookin, who died in 1734. House concurred, and Gov.
Belcher "assented." Act passed accordingly, November 17,
1738. The parish thus set off was incorporated as North
Hampton November 26, 1742. — Ed.]
[4-212] \_North Hill Parish Declaration, 1739.]
To the Rev d Ministers whom we have invited to be our mouth
in addressing the throne of Grace For direction in the impor-
tant affairs before Us & to others whom it may concern —
North hill in Hampton May 24 th 1739 —
Rev d Sir 8 Seeing there is a misrepresentation of our designs
In our present proceedings made to you by our Brethren &
neighbours as tho' we were about to Involve them in charge &
contention against their wills. These may inform you that our
Designs & aims are to set up & support the Gosple among us
which we trust will be to the Glory of God & the great advan-
tage of our selves & families
And we think we shall be able honourably to support it tho'
our numbers be not increas'd for we trust that God will bless
the labour of our hands to enable us to Bear the charges of it
as he has heretofore done — And it is not in our design (were it
in our power) To bring any into our Society untill they are
willing Tho' they live never so convenient being sensible that
Peace and Unity are what God is well pleased with and what
will be our greater comfort & Security than larger numbers —
This declaration we make & engage to Stand by and accord-
ingly promise that we will not petition for any Parish line
untill the major part within that line shall joyn in the petition —
So desiring your prayers & directions we remain Rev d S M
your humble Servants — Sign'd by
Deacon John Dear- John Leavitt William Godfrey
bon Sam 1 Dearbon Benjamin Hobbs
John Marston J°hn Godfrey Job Chapman
Thomas Marston John Wedgwood Benjamin Marston
Daniel Sanborn Josepth Dearbon Henry Dearbon
John Marston Ju r Daniel Marston Winthrop Marston
Henry Bacheller James Godfrey Simon Dearbon
David Jewell Jeremiah Dearbon
[The names are all in one hand on the document. — Ed.]
120 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4—214] [Report of Co?7imittee concerning Lines between
North Hill and the old Parish, 1742 .]
Whereas we the subscribers with others Being appointed By
the Gen 1 Court at there Sessions on Sept. 17 th 1742 To Go To
hamton old Town & north Hill Parish and see whether it be
Convenient to have a Line Setled between the old Town of
hamton & north hill Parish or not If a Line then where to State
It, or whether both Ministers shall be paid by one General Rate
&c — In pursuence whereof we with Peter Gilman who was
also one of Said Comitte mett at s d hamton on October 4 th
1742, and viewed both Parishes and heard the arguments used
by the agents of s d Parishes, and have Determined as fol° : That
we think It most Convenient That the ministers Rates of Both
Parishes be Paid by one General Rate. But if the Gen 1
Court should think Proper It should not be then we are of
opinion they have a devideing Line between s d Parishes : and
that it be as fol° : The Line to begin at the Country high way
that Leads from Portsm to hamton one Rod to the Southward
of Cap 1 Joseph Taylors new dweling house and from thence to
Run on a Strait Line to the Sea Striking the Sea Eighty rods
to the Southward of the mouth of the Litle River where it now
Emties Into the Sea, & then to begin at the high way afores d at
the Place where the Line before-mentioned first begun & from
thence to Run a Strait Line To the Corner bounds between
Exeter and Stratham at hamton Line. That To be the Devid-
ing Line between the two Parishes —
which is according to the best of our Jugem* 8 and is Humbly
Submited To the Gen 1 Court as our Report
Portsm Novemb r 16 th 1742
T ., ~ ,. ^ Maj r Part of the
otham (Jdiorne \ ^ J ... ,,
J r , ^ . > Comitte that was
John Douningr I ,. . e r •
J j acting in y e atair
[4— 21 1;] [Remonstrance to foregoi?zg Report ^\
The Humble Petition of Sundry Persons Inhabitants of the
Northern Part of the Town of Hampton in said Province Shew-
eth—
That your Petitioners have been Informed that the Parish-
ioners of the North Hill Parish so called have Petitioned the
General Assembly for a Line of Division between that & the
Town or old Parish In pursuance of which a Committee has view-
ed & Reported their Opinion (which your Petitioners were in-
formed of before) that both ministers should be maintained by one
Rate — or that a Line should be fixed as set forth in their Return
— as to the first part, we humbly conceive it would be Intro-
HAMPTON.
121
ductive of Multiplied Confusions & altogether Impracticable
for any length of time but as that is more Immediately the Con-
cern of the Town we wave it & Refer it to those whose Prov-
ince it is — But as the proposed Line greatly affects us we beg
leave Humbly to Remonstrate That we families & estates will
be thereby Comprehended within the North Hill Parish utterly
against our Inclinations as well as Interests — That as this Parish
was at first erected without our agency we think it Reasonable the
charge of it should be supported without our aid and it would
be a very hard case (as we conceive) to compel us to contribute
to the ease & Conveneiency of others at the Expence of our own
or that the wills of our neighbours should abridge or rather
Destroy our Liberty & that in direct Contradiction to their own
solemn promise —
That there has not been a Parallel Instance at least within
our knowledge but whenever Parishes have been erected those
who were unwilling to belong to them have by the Indulgence of
the General Court (agreeable to the Example of the Legislature
at Home) had leave to continue as they were & were Poll'd off
accordingly from the new Parishes which is but just and Rea-
sonable for otherways it would be in the power of a few men
frequently in a sort to Tyranize over their neighbours — That the
Inconveniency hereby bro't upon us will be greater than those
the Petitioners would be under if they were Reduced to their
former condition & belong'd to the old Parish or at least equal
to them —
Wherefore we most Humbly pray that this Court would
according to their wonted Goodness in Such Cases if a Line
shall be Settled let us Poll off Families & Estates from the said
North Hill Parish & y r Petition 5 as in duty bound shall ever
pray &c.
John Smith
William Moulton
beniamin Johnson
John Taylor
beniamin Smith
nathaniel mason
Joseph Towll Jr
Danil Dow
Thomas Dearbon
Samuel darbon
Nathaniel Moulton
Abriam Dreak Ju
Jona Palmer
Daniel fogg
Thomas Hains
Obadiah Marston
Richard tayler
Ruben Derbon
david marston
Simon Knowles
William Palmer
James Towll
Jonathan Towll Jr
Caleb Marston
Thomas Rowly
Josiah hobbes
Beniamin fullor
Morris hobbes
Benjamin Johnson iu
John Shaw
John Smith Ju
beniamin mason
David dow
zechariah Towll
Samuel Fogg
Joseph knowles
Samuel bachelder Ju William Moulton Ju
James Tomas Jona Knowles
Joseph Page Joseph Moulton
francis Page Benjamin Lamper
Jeremiah Page Morrice Lamprey
Elisha Marston
122 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[An act was passed November 30, 1742, incorporating
the said North Hill parish into a parish by the name of
North Hampton, with the following line between that and
Hampton : " Beginning at a great rock in the Highway in
Hampton afores d between the Dwelling Houses of Caleb
Marston & Joseph Towle Jr. which is the first Great rock
in the Highway afores d to the Southward of the Dwelling
House of the widow Mary Levet of Hampton afores d Tav-
ernkeeper & running from the afores d Great rock on a strait
Line to the Sea at the mouth of the Little river where it now
emtieth itself into the Sea — then to begin again at the
afores d Great rock & to run therefrom on a strait Line to
the corner bounds between Stratham & Exeter at Hampton
Line." They were to be joined with Hampton for repre-
sentative, and were to continue to pay their proportion of
the grant made to Mrs. Dorothy Gookin. — Ed.]
[R. 2-38] [Abstract from Dr. Antho?ty Emery's Memorial^
1757 '•]
The memorial of Anthony Emery of Hampton
Humbly Sheweth : That your memorialist by the request of
His Excellency, on the eighteenth day of April in y e year 1755
Inlisted himself into his Majestys Service in an expedition
against Crown Point, as Chirurgion of Col Joseph Blanchards
Regiment. And as Chirurgions wages was not an adequate
encouragement for your memorialist to leave his business, His
Excellency gave your memorialist a Lieut 8 Commission in Capt.
John Moors Company, without which your memorialist would
not have gone in s d expedition. * * *
[Dr. Emery was discharged December 5 following. He
claimed pay for a horse broken down in the service, and
was allowed ^25 out of the money "for the Crown Point
Expedition." — Ed.]
[R. 2-39] [Abstract from Nathan Blake's Petition, ad-
dressed to the Governor and Assembly, fan. 28, if6o.~\
Most Humbly Sheweth — Nathan Blake of Hampton in the
Province aforesaid yeoman that whereas I the petitioner the
said Nathan was out in his Majestys Sarvice in the last Sum-
HAMPTON. 123
mer in the new Hampshier Ridgiment Command by Col John
Goffe in the Company Commanded by Capt. Jeremiah Mars-
ton and came from number four about the 20 th of november last
and got home to my own house the 29 th of said november, and
well when I came home and after I had been at home eleven
days I was taken sick and brook out with the small pox which
was verey shoking and destresing to me and to my family who
all left me and went to a house at a distance and no body with
me for some days but onely Ceazer Long. * * *
[He was attended by Dr. Emery and Tristram Redman.
Supplies were furnished by Major Moulton, for all of which
he presents a bill amounting to .£10, 8, 3, new tenor, which
was ordered to be paid, and charged to the expedition fund.
Ed.]
[4-216] [Relative to Small- Pox, 1758^
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr Captain General
& Commander in Chief in & over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire And to the Honorable his Majesties Coun-
cil And the General Assembly of this Province now Conven'd
May it please Your Excellency & the Honorable Council &
the General Assembly —
The Humble Petition of the Minister & Two Selectmen of
Hampton Town, Humbly Sheweth —
Whereas it hath pleased God in his Sovereign Providence to
send the Small pox among us, & we have the Greatest Reason
to fear it will soon spread into divers parts of the Town If
Speedy & Effectual Care be not taken to prevent it — And
though The Select Men have Impressd several houses to re-
move suspected persons into, according to Law — Yet they have
been resisted by the owners of those houses — & their Lives
threatned — So that the Major Part of the Select Men are dis-
coraged & Determine! to do Nothing further. And our present
Danger being extremely great — We do therefore most humbly
& Earnestly Entreat that the Legislature of this Province now
assembled, would be pleased Imediately to appoint & empower
some sutable persons to Come Imediately & remove these In-
fected persons to Sutable places, One of which lives so near to
the Meeting house, that the publick worship of God must be
broken up if not remov'd, & the other person Living close upon
the Country Road in the Heart of The Town — which will pre-
vent all Travellers as well as Endanger Considerable Neighbor-
hoods — We do therefore earnestly beg the Imediate help of
124 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
You Our Civil Fathers, According as You in your Great Wis-
dom Shall see fitt, And so Your Petitioners shall ever pray &c
Hampton May 30 : 1758 —
Ward Cotton
John Weeks — Two of ye
Josiah Shaw — Selectmen
N B : One is supposed to have broke out yesterday & the
other is expected to Break out every Day
[4-218] [ Vote of Town relative to Ministerial Rates, 1768. .]
Province of Newhampshire
at a Legal meeting of the freeholders & Inhabitants of the
town of Hampton held at the meeting House In said town on
tuesday the twenty-first Day of March 1 768
1 voted Christ 1 Toppan Esq r is Chosen moderator for said
meeting
11 th voted to Excuse, mr ^mos Coffin & Stephen Page from
Paying their ministers Rates for the three years Past —
Hampton march 27 th 1770 —
a true Copy attest — Joseph Dow : town C 1
[4-219] [Relative to a Lottery, iygo.~\
We the Subscribers being informed that there is a Town
Meeting Called in Hampton to see if the Town will Vote to
petition the General Court for Liberty to raise a sum of money
by Lottery Sufficient to Raise Hampton Causeway to such a
hight as to make it Safe and Convenient passing at highwater
when the Tides are high and as we have been informed that
some persons have Doubted whether the owners of the marsh
and Meadow Laying above said Causeway would Consent that
it should be raised we being owners of said Marsh & Meadow
have no objection but are desirous that it may be done Provided
there be sufficient sluceways for the water being Sensable of
the very great advantage it would be to travellers Especially to
Strangers the passing over which Causeway often times is not
only Dificult but dangerous & at some times Impracticable
December the 14 th 1790
To the Select men of Hampton to be Communicated to the
Town at the meeting
Anos Coffin Cotton Ward Simeon Shaw
Samuel Drake John Taylor John Fogg
HAMPTON. 125
Josiah Shaw David Bachelder Caleb sanborn
Sam 1 Weare Robert Marshall Mickel dalton
Stephen Coffin Simon Brown James Wedgwood
Reuben Dearbon Joseph Dow J°hn Drake
Benjamin Shaw
[4-220] [ Vote of Town relative to a Lottery, iygo."\
State of Newhampshire —
Rockingham ss at a Legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Hampton held at the meeting-House In said Town
on monday the 27 th Day of December 1790 —
Voted unanimous to Petition the General Court at their next
session for a Grant of a Lottery, in order to Collect a Sum of
money Sufficient to pay the Cost of Raising the town Cause-
way in said Hampton so High as to prevent High Tides &
freshets overflowing the Same —
Voted Joseph Dow Philip Towle Josiah Moulton Jonathan
Garland Josiah Dearbon John Fogg & Cotton ward be & hereby
are Impowered a Committee (in behalf of said Town) to pre-
pare a Petition and present the Same to the General Court for
the purpose as above mentioned —
Hampton Jan y 3 d 1791 —
a Copy attest Joseph Dow : town Clerk
[4-221] \_Petition for Authority to raise Money by Lottery
to repair a Bridge, etc., iygi.~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon ble The Senate, & House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Convened, January 5 th 1791 —
Respectfully Shews,
The Subscribers, in behalf of the Inhabitants of Hampton ;
that the main Road from Boston, to Portsmouth, in passing
through said Town, crosses one main Branch of Hampton
River, & Salt Meadow Ground, for about half a Mile in
length ; over which the Inhabitants of said Town by much labor,
& Expence have built a bridge & a Causeway, & have kept the
same in as good Repair, as could possibly be expected consid-
ering the smallness of the Town, & the very great Expendi-
tures it required — Nevertheless by high Tides & Freshets, it is
frequently rendered impassable, & at other times dangerous, &
difficult for Travellers ; & as the Cost of raising said Causeway
126 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to such an height as to make it safe & convenient passing at all
Seasons, would exceed the Abilities of the Town, & consider-
ing the great Advantage it would be to the publick to have it
done ; Induces us to petition your Honors for Liberty to raise a
sufficient Sum by Lottery to effect it, under such Regulations,
and Restrictions as you may think proper, & your Petitioners
as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Joseph Dow
Philip Towle
Josiah Moulton
Ton a Garland ^"«" ^* «•"
t - u t\ u lown ot
Josiah Dearbon
John Fogg
Cotton ward
Committee in
behalf of the
Hampton
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 22, 1791, the foregoing petition was
granted, with the proviso that any surplus should be the
property of the state. — Ed.]
[4-222] \_Relative to aforenamed Lottery, iygi.']
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon ble the Senate & House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Convened June 7 th 1791 —
Respectfully shews That a petition was presented to the
General Court at their last Session by Joseph Dow Esq r and
others a Committee in behalf of the Town of Hampton pray-
ing for liberty to raise a Sufficient sum of money by Lottery to
raise Hampton Causway — the prayer of which Petition was
granted by the then Hon blri House but was ordered to lay by the
Hon ble Senate the Subscriber begs leave to request of your
Hono s that you would take the Subject matter of said petition
into your Consideration & make such order thereon as you may
think proper and as in duty bound will ever pray
Christo r Toppan in behalf of the
Committee
The Committee on petitions for Lotteries, Report that the
Committee for the Inhabitants of the Town of Hampton have
leave to Introduce a bill to Raise by lottery the Sum of Eight
hundred pounds, under such Restrictions as the Court shall
direct, for the purposes afores d
which is submitted by Daniel Emerson Jr for
the Com*
HAMPTON. 127
[4-223] [Relative to Church Matters, iyg6.~\
State of New-hampshire
To the honourable Senate & House of Representatives for said
State in General Court convened at Exeter the first Wednes-
day of June 1796 —
Humbly shew the subscribers inhabitants of Hampton in the
county of Rockingham and state aforesaid. That they always
have been and are conscientiously of the congregational persua-
sion which has been the established mode of public Worship in
said Town ever since the first settlement thereof untill very
lately — When about one third of the church and a major part
of the congregation, professing themselves Presbyterians, called
& Settled a Minister of the presbyterian order, notwithstanding
the rest of the church and congregation dissented therefrom.
The dissentients being conscientiously of a different persuasion,
and desirous of worshipping their creator in a social manner,
according to the dictates of their conscience ; have since the
unhappy separation took place, provided a house for public
worship and procured preaching at their own expence, and
being anxious to join with the church of congregationalists in
said Town, in settling a minister of their own persuasion Your
petitioners pray that they with the congregational church there
may be erected into a Poll Parish and vested with such rights
and privileges as other parishes have and exercise, and your
petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c
Samuel Dow Joseph Leach Morris Hobbs
Simon Marston John Lamprey Jeremiah Marston
James Philbrick Ephraim Marston John Dow
moses Brown Jonathan Lock Samuel mace
Josiah Dearbon Joseph Philbrick Ju Amos Knowles
Abraham Perkins Joseph Palmer J ona Garland
Jun er Benj n B Shaw John Batchelder
Daniel Ware Abner Page Nathan Brown
James Philbrick Jur moses Perkins Josiah mason
Nathaniel Johnson Samuel Drake Samuel Sanborn
Stephen marsten Joseph S Dearborn Sam 11 Page
Samuel Philbrick Winthrop Sanborn Daniel Marston
Simon Lane Samuel Blake James Lane
Elisha Towle Elisha Moulton Joseph mace
Reuben Dow Samuel Palmer David LamPrey
Elisha Marston Jonathan Gofery jun Nathaniel Lock
Samuel Philbrick ju Jacob marston Jeremiah Hobbs
Phinehas Feltch Daniel Lamprey Simon Lane Jr
John perkins John Brown Simeon Shaw
Ashel marston Joseph Redman Sam 11 S. Page
128 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John Read man Simon Brown John Green
Joseph Dow Christo* Toppan Elisha Towle J r
Zaccheus Brown Jeremiah Knowles Isaiah Dow
Daniel Brown Elisha Brown Reuben Lamprey
Samuel Marston Simeon Blake Joseph Palmer Jun 1
Trustram Godfree Josiah marston
[4-225]
State of New Hampshire
To the honorable Senate and House of Representatives for said
State in General Court convened at Concord November 23 d
1796.
Humbly shews the subscribers inhabitants of Hampton in
the county of Rockingham and State aforesaid had not an oppor-
tunity to sign a petition in June last to be incorporated into a
Congregational poll parish in Hampton and that they desire to
be considered as if they had then signed said petition
Hampton November 23 d 1796.
Joseph Towle Moses Shaw Joshua mace
Josiah Dow David Philbrick
[In H. of Rep., June 6, 1796, a hearing was ordered for
the next session, at which, on the 6th day of December, an
act was passed to incorporate the " Congregational Society
in Hampton." — Ed.]
[4-226] [List of La?id Owners, about iyj8.~\
A List of the Land owned in Hampton When North Hamp-
ton was Set oft' as a Parish & Since owned as Rateable in Said
Parish
Quantity
Former owners of Land Present owners
Reuben Sanborn 12 acres Cap 1 Hoite
Jona Dearborn 24 Ditto Josiah Dalton
Henry Dearborn 74 jenny
Joseph & Ezekiel j . -^ Brown & others
M/111 rnn \ • ^
Moulton
Samuel Palmer 24 Jona Page
Willi'" Smith 16 Stephen Page & others
Thomas Nudd 12 David Page
James Towle 12 Stephen Page
HAMPTON.
Joseph Towle
Jona Marston
10 acres James Godfrey
90 Ebenezer Loverin
Joseph Radman
40
Daniel Dowe
Peter Johnson
140
Doct r Dearborn & others
Joseph Batchelder
2 5
Decon Sam 11 Batchelder
Caleb Towle
20
Simeon Marston
Jona Sanborn & i
James Johnson )
20
Joseph Garland & others
John Batchelder
12
Decon Benj a Hobbs
David Dowe
3°
Zachariah Towle & others
Jacob Marston
25
Joseph Moulton & others
Jona Godfrey
Christ' Page
i5
10
Joseph Moulton & others
Joseph Moulton & others
Edward Wilmot &
Nathan Godfrey
Zechariah & )
Sam 11 Brown )
> 20
30
abner Fogg
Isaac Jennes & others
Sam 11 Palmer Esqr
18
Moris Lamprey & Tho
Cotton
Jacob Brown
Sam 11 Brown & )
Thomas Nudd J
18
Peter Johnson
12
Tristram Radman
Thomas Brown
6
John Brown
Simon Dowe
12
Josiah Batchelder & others
Jonathan Freess & \
James Johnson J "
Thomas Cotton
Epharim Marston )
Moses Perkins J
6
Tristram Radman
Zechariah & )
Sam 11 Brown J
6
Tristram Radman
Sam 11 Palmer *
Jona Garland
Jeremiah Moulton
Joseph Radman
John Moulton
> 36
Benj a Philbrick
Sam 11 Dowe J
Nehemiah Hobbs
12
Tristram Radman
Joseph Taylor
10
Henry Batchelder
129
854
the three following Farmes the most of them was ound in
Town Since they were Sett off as a Parish Viz
Capt Abner Fogg Esq r
James Batchelder &
Jona Brown
11
130 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
HAMPTON FALLS.
This town was formerly a part of Hampton.
In 1709, by a vote of the council, the inhabitants of that
portion of the town of Hampton west of Taylor's river,
called Hampton Falls, were authorized to choose assessors,
and raise money for " the maintenance of such learned and
orthodox minister to officiate in the New Church" as they
might call to service there, with advice of Rev. Mr. Cotton.
In 1685 there were 212 inhabitants in what is now
Hampton Falls.
In council, May 12, 1718, Peter Weare and others " of the
new parish " petitioned that it might be separated from the
old parish, and were granted the privilege of holding annual
meetings to choose selectmen and other officers to manage
their parish affairs, and to choose one representative to the
general assembly, but were to pay province rates as they
had before. In accordance therewith they met and chose
Peter Weare as assemblyman, who took his seat October 7,
1718. He was speaker of the house in 1724.
John Farmer says Hampton Falls " was separated and
incorporated in 1712." I do not find this to be the fact;
but do find that they were not entirely separated in parish
affairs until November 23, 1726. After that each parish
was to be free from the other in raising their ministers'
salaries.
The west part of the town was set off April 1, 1737, and
incorporated into the town of Kensington.
June 3, 1768, the town was again divided, the south part
set off, and incorporated by the name of Seabrook.
By an act passed December 4, 1742, a part of the town of
South Hampton was annexed to this town.
December 7, 18 16, a small tract of land was severed from
this town, and annexed to Seabrook.
[4-227] [Petition for Grant of a Township — no date. ,]
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Governour and
Commander in Chief In and Over His Majesty's Province of
New IIamps e ; in New England ; And the Hon blc his Majes-
ty's Councill in Said Province —
The Humble Address and Petition of Sundry of his Majestys
Loyal Subjects Inhabitants of Hampton-falls in Said Province ;
HAMPTON FALLS.
131
Praying that Your Petitioners may be Sharers in Such Grants
of Land as may be made to his Majesties Subjects in this Prov-
ince : That Your Petitioners may have A Township Granted
them of Ten Miles Square Lying Upon Amuskieg fall or In
Such other place and of Such Dimensions as to Your Excellen-
cy And Honours in Your Great Wisdom And Goodness shall
Seem Proper : And Your Petitioners As In Duty Bound shall
Ever Pray
Job Haskell
Jabez Smith
Joseph Tilton
Benj a Swett
Ralph Butler
Josiah Bachelder
Richard nason
Bradbury Green
Jacob Stanyan
Samuel Lane
Timothy morgin
John Treadwell
Jonathan Nason
Joshua Purinton
Sam 11 Pre scut
Nathan Tilton
Jeramiah Pearson
Benjamin Swett
Juner
Elisha Prescut
Robard Row
Jonatha Cram
Ebnezer Prescut
Charles Stuard
Simon fogg
Jacob Brown
John Philbrick
Jonathan Gove
Abner Philbrick
John green
Sam 11 She
John Brown
Timothy Hilyard
Abner Sanborn
Walter Williams
Thomas Brown
Jonathan Stuward
Edmond Brown
obadiah worth
Daniel Peirkins
John Robie
Timothy Tilton
Enoch Carter
Abaraham Bachel-
der
Joseph Whipple
Robert Miller
Abraham Green
Edward Gove
John Gove
Jonathan Green
Amos Cass
John CI afford
Jonathan Tilton
David swett
John Tilton
John brown Quarto John Gove Juner
Caleb sanborn
John Swain
btephen Swett
Winthrop dow
thomas Boyd
Robert quinbe
Timothy Blak Juner
Benjamin Sanborn
Ebenezer Sanburn
Thomas Cram
nathanel Gove
Meshech Weare
Joseph Bachelder
Thomas Leavit
Enoch Gove
Edward williams
Jacob Freese
Matthew Morton
John worth
John Swain Jun r
Reuben Sanborn
theopillus Bachelor
Dan 1 swett
Jonathan Hilyard
Hanary Robie
Enoch Sanborn
Benj a Hilyard
Ebenezer Gove juner
Abraham dow
[4-229] [Petition of yohn Brown, Innholder ', for tJie priv-
ilege of a Town Fair, about jyj^.']
Province of Newhamp r
To His Exelencey Jonathan Belcher Esq 1 " Capt n general Gov-
ournor and Cumander in Cheaf in and over y e Province of
Newhampshier and Province Massachusets bay in New-Eng-
land &c —
132 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To the Hon ble His Maj ets Councel and Hous of Represent 8 Now
Setting in Portsmouth in The Province of Newhampshier —
By an Ajournment — The Humble Petition of John Brown
Inholder in Hampton-falls Most Humbly Sheweth —
That whare as Thare Hath Been in the Year Past Two Meet-
tings of Not ondly y e People of This province But of the Nigh-
bouring province also att Your Petitionours Hous for to Bye
and Sell all Sorts of Quick Stock and Sundry othor Traidings
Which hath Proved Greatly Benificial to many in This our
Province and to many others farthur East then our Province
Extendes Aas also to y e Byers many of them Came from Boston
and from y e Nighbouring towns thare unto and bought many
Hundred Pounds worth of fatt Cattle fatt Sheep and Lambs and
y e Like Thay haveing a Carttain market to go unto —
And whare as Your Petitionour 8 Hous is Thought to Stand
in y e Most Accommodaiting place espeschaly for y e byers thay
Cuming from y e South-ward y c Most of Them as also whare y*
Roads meet from all y e Towns in This Province And upon y e
Great Road from y e Eastward and So Most Accomodeating to
aid —
Therefore Your Petitionour Most Humbly Prays that This
Cort wold Grant y e Liborty of haveing three fairs in a year att
your Petitionours hous in Hampton-fills Yearly and y* y e first
may be upon y e Second wedensday and Thirdsday in May And
y t y e Seccond fair be upon y e Seccond Wedensday and Thirdsday
in Augost and y e Third upon y e Last Wedensday and Thirdsday
in Octob r — And as In Deuty Bound shall Ever Pray —
[The selectmen petitioned, October 10, 1734, for the
same privilege, which was granted. See Vol. IX, page 340.
—Ed.]
[4-22S] [Deposition of Joshua Peirce.~\
The Deposition of Joshua Peirce Esq r who Testifies and Says
that he very well Remembers that in or about the year 171 7 the
Log House that did belong to Peter Wear Esq r late of Hampton
Falls Deceased in which he formerly keept Tavern was Licenced
for that Purpose by the Government and that he always under-
stood it was So Granted as to be a Privilege annexed to the Said
Estate and alienable with that the Depon' being a Member of
the Lower House at the time the Said Grant was made
Josh : Peirce
HAMPTON FALLS. 1 35
[4-230] [Petition relative to making a new Town of the
West Part, 1736^
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq r Governour and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majesties province of New
Hamp r to the Honourable his Majesties Council of the s d
province, and the Representatives in gen 11 Assembly con-
vened at Portsm in the s d province, this 8 th day of March
an : Domini 1736/7
The Petition of Joseph Wadley Ezekiel Dow John Batchel-
der and Jonathan Prescut John Wear most humbly Sheweth
That at the Sessions of the gen 11 Assembly of this province
in the month of May — A : D : 1 735 . Your Petitioners with Sun-
dry others to the Number of about Sixty who were Inhabitants
of the West part of Hampton Falls parish did prefer a Petition
to Your Excellency and the Honourable Assembly praying that
they might be Set of a Seperate Parish by themselves, which
Petition was acted upon at the last Sessions of the assembly
after a full hearing of the s d Parish by their Attornies, on the
one part and Your Petitioners and their other Companions on
the other part and there it was ordered by Your Excellency and
the Honourable Assembly that a Committee Should be ap-
pointed to goe upon the Spot and make enquiry into the affair,
to Survey the whole parish and to See whether it was big
enough for Two, and if they found it was big enough for Two
then to prefix a Line and to make a return to the gen 11 Assem-
bly on the third day of their Sessions, and your Petitioners fur-
ther Shew that Soon after the passing of that order both the
Petition and order are Consumed to ashes in the burning of
the Secretaries house in whose keeping they were, and that
notwithstanding they were So consumed and destroyed yet the
Committee who were appointed have proceeded and acted
thereon, and it being now the time appointed for them to make
their return thereof, they are accordingly attending for that end,
your Petitioners therefore pray that your Excellency and the
Honourable Assembly will please to accept thereof and to con-
firm the Same, so your Petitioners Shall ever pray &c
Jonathan Prescut Joseph wadleigh John Bachelder
John Weare Ezekiel Dow
[4-231] [Committee appointed to Jix Division Line, ana
Report of said Committee, 1736. ]
Prov of New Hamps r Aprill 24 — 1736
In the House of Representatives
The Inhabitants of the West end of Hampton was heard on
134 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
theire Petition for a Precinct, according to the day Limitted
Last Sessions and the parrish of Hampton falls was present by
their Selectmen and both parties heard —
And voted that there be a Committee
Entred on the Back of the Petition viz
The within Petition was Read & the Petitioners and the se-
lect men of Hampton falls parish was heard thereon by their
Councill
The House having Considered thereon
Voted Capt Edward Hall and m r Samuell Palmer be a Com-
mittee of this House to Joyne with Such as the Hon ble the Coun-
cill Shall appoint, to Go and view Hampton falls parish, and
See if at present its Reasonable there be a new precinct Set off,
and if in their Judgment it oft So to be, Then to view the
precinct and Consider what district may be Set off to them
having regard to the Quaintity & Quallity of the Land, and to
make return to the next Gen 11 assembly on the third day of their
Sitting and Each party pay half the Charges of Said Committee
James Jeffry Cle r ass m
the same day a Mess a Came down that the Board had Con-
curr'd with the above Vote and that Theodore Atkinson & Jo-
seph Sherburn Esq r were appointed a Committee by the Board
to Joyne the Committe of the House on the affaire of Hampton
falls-
Copy out of the Journall of the House of Representatives
Attest James Jeffry Cle r ass m
According to the within Vote we whose names are under
written have been at Hampton falls Parrish & do report thereon
that we apprehend that the best Place for a Dividing Line in
case the Governm 1 Should think Proper to Divide the S d Par-
rish is to begin at Stone Bridge & run West & by North half a
mile & from thence on a Streight Line till it Crosses Horse hill
road forty rods below or to the Eastward of Jon a Browns House
& so on a Streight continued Line till it Intersects the Dividing
Line between Salisbury & Hampton & from the beginning of
the first S d Half mile above Stone Bridge the S d Line to Extend
on the Same Course as from Salisbury Line to Exeter Line
Septemb 1 " 2 d 1736
Joseph Sherburn
Theodore Atkinson
Edward Hall
Samuel Palmer
HAMPTON FALLS. 135
[4-230] \_Action of Legislature. ~\
Mar. 29 th 1737. In the House of Representatives The Peti-
tioners of the within Petition was heard (the opposite parties
not appearing) & voted : That the prayer of the Petition be
granted, and the Petitioners be set of a Distinct Parish accord-
ing to the Bound prefixt In the Returne Committe ; and that
they have Liberty to Bring in theire Bill accordingly
James Jeffry Cl r Ass m
In Council March 30 : 1737
Read and Concurred Rich d waldron Sec 17
Same day assented to J. Belcher.
[An act passed, April i, 1737, incorporating the territory
asked for into a "distinct parish by the name of Kensing-
ton!' The following September another act was passed
slightly changing the bounds. — Ed.]
[4-232] [Petition for a Change of Dates of the JFairs,
1738^
To Jonathan Belcher Esq r Cap 1 Genaral Govournour and Cum-
ander In Cheaf In and Over his Majest es Province of y a
Masachusetts Bay In Newengland And thes His Majestes
Province of Newhampshier
The Most Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Selectmen
for y e Parrish of Hampton falls in Behalf of s d Parish Most
Humbly Sheweth That altho with humble Thankfullness we
Acknowledg your Exelencyes and Hon rs Goodness and favour
done unto us in Granting unto us & our Successors for Ever to
Hould And Keep Two Fairs in a Year the first to begin upon
the Last Tusday in Apriel And the other to begin the Last
Tusday in October Yearly Which Grant was made y e 24 th day
of Oct r A. D. 1734
Yett Since it So happens that our first Fair proves to be in
the midest of our planting Seasond — Viz, that in Apriel And
that in October proves to be too Late upon Account of what we
have to Despose of Cheafly As Grass fead Cattle Sheep &c —
Which to Geather with many Other Reasonds too tedeious to
Trouble your Exelencies and Hon rs with
We Your Most Humble Petitionours most Humbly Pray
That Your Exelencie And this Hon ble Councel wold pleas to
alter our Fairs for the feuture
That for the Time to Come the Fairs here may begin upon
the Second tusday in June and Continue two days —
13^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Also That for y e time to Come our fall Fair begin upon the
third Tusday in September Anualy and for ever & continue two
days And that a Clark be also Appointed to attend s d Fair Ac-
cording to what may be Coustomary or Necessary for y e Good
of the publick And what Others Mesurs to prevent Disorders
eviel Deeds and all breaches of Law As You In Your Great
wisdom may See meet —
And As in Deuty Bound Shall ever pray —
And we Humbly Pray that M r John Brown may be aloued
to prefer this our Petition And to Make Answars if Need Re-
quire
Hampton falls Novemb" 7 : 1738
Josiah Bachelder \ Selectmen for
Thomas Cram > the Parrish of
Benj a Hillyard J Hampton falls
[4-233] [Petition for the granting of a Township, ij 4Q.~\
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Governour and
Commander in Chief in and Over his Majestys Province of
New Hamps e in New-England, And the Hon ble his Majestys
Councill for Said Province —
Humbly Shew Your Petitioners Inhabitants of the Parish of
Hampton falls in Said Province That Your Petitioners being
Informed that Your Excellency now proposes to make Grants
of Tracts of Land Sutable for Townships, And we having most
of us families for whose Settlement we are Concern'd to Pro-
vide, so that a Grant of Land would be Very Serviceable to us,
And many of us having hitherto had no Share in Grants which
heretofore have been made And being Desirous to Share with
others in Such Grants as may now be made, We pray that we
may have a Grant of a tract of Land Sutable for a Township in
Some Convenient Place, And as the Season of the Year will not
Admitt us now to look Out a Place and take a Plan thereof,
We pray that we may have the Liberty when the Season of the
Year will allow thereof to Look out some Sutable place with-
out the Grants which are already made, And take a Plan thereof
And may have the Same Granted to us And Your Petitioners
shall Ever Pray &c
Hampton falls Feb y 19, 1749
Nath 1 Weare Meshech Weare Stephen Healey
Jonathan Fifield Josiah Bachelder Jeremiah Brown
Jonathan Green Joseph Perkins Sam 11 Prescut
Richard Nason Joseph Whipple Joseph Bachelder
HAMPTON FALLS.
137
Elisha Prescut
Jon a Chase
Benj a Moulton
Stephen Cram
Abner Philbok
Nathan Tilton
Henrey Robey
Samuel Lane
Samuel Tilton
Jonathan Hilyard
Jonathan Prescutt
Ruben Sanborn
Benj a Prescutt
Joshua Blake
Thomas Brown
Thomas Cram
Abner Sanborn
Jonathan Cram
John Tilton
Jonathan Sweatt
Benj a Cram
Benja Sweatt Juner
Amos Leavet
Pain Row
John Chase
James Moulton
Eben r Prescut
Enoch Gove
John Swain
Joseph Worth
Jonathan Green jun r
Jonathan Tilton
Benj a Hilyard
Samuel Melsher
Edward Gove
Bradbury Green
Benj a Sanborn
Benj a Moulton
Richard Smith
[4-234] [Petition of Quakers relative to Service in the Army,
1761.-]
Province of New Hampshire
To Benning Wentworth Governour and Commander in Cheif
in and over said Province the Council and assembly of said
Province. In General assembly February 3, 1761. —
The Petition of John Brown and Elijah Brown of Hampton
falls in the Province aforesaid Husbandmen. Being members
of the Friendly Society Called Quakers —
That in the war Some time about four Years Since the Peti-
tion rB then living togather on their farm in Common and undi-
vided and Elijah Being a minor under the age of Twenty one
Years, he was Impressed to go into the war which he Refused
to obey as being against his Relegion upon which Refusal Na-
than Green a Clerk of a Company to which they said we did
Belong Came with a Warrant from the Cheif officer of said Reg-
iment and took a Yoke of good four Year old Steers and Sold
them and hired a man to go in the Room of Elijah, the said
Steers then being also undivided. But this Grevance would not
have been Repeeted had not Something farther been laid upon
the Petitioner By an act of the Goverment Called the Quaker
act, past the Last Year which they apprehend you have before
you to Refer you to it, by which act they are apprehensive that
the Court laid a Burden on Some of the Quakers that was never
intended by the Court, and Especially on the Petitioners, for
after a man being hired out of their Joint Substance they are
Tax't by means of the Act aforesaid upwards of fifty pounds old
Tenor Each to pay for their part of the people that was Called
the Quaker proportion the Last years War Which the Petitioner
I38 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
apprehend as a Very Great burden on them as they think they
were properly Cleard from that Duty for the Reasons afore-
said —
Wherefore the Petitioners would be Glad of the Considera-
tion of this Court on the matter, and order us Such Releif in the
Last mentioned Tax as to you may Seem Right.
John Brown
in behalf of himself & Brother
[For other matter relative to this, see Vol. XI, page 709. —
Ed.]
[4-235] [Relative to hicorfioration of Seabrook, iy68.~\
Province of New Hamps e
In the House of Representatives March 10 th 1768
Whereas a Number of the Inhabitants of Hampton falls have
Liberty by the Votes of the General Assembly to be set off as a
Distinct Parish the Dividing line between the Old Parish and
the New to be Setled by a Committee to be Appointed by the
General Assembly And have moved for Such a Committee to
be Appointed
Voted That Josiah Bartlett Esq r Doc r John Giddings And
Doc r Ebenezer Thompson be the Committee to Settle the Divid-
ing Line Above mentioned And make Report to the General
Assembly As Soon as mav be
M Weare Cl r
In Council March iS th 1 76S
Read and concur'd
Geo : King Dep^ Sec^
Assented to J Wentworth
[In accordance with the foregoing, an act was passed June
3, 1768, setting off the south-westerly part of the town, and
incorporating it into a parish by the name of Seabrook. —
Ed.]
[4-235^] [Objections to the Meetiizg called by Justices
Brya?it and Emery, iYyo.~\
Province of New Hamp c
To the worshipfull Walter Bryant and Noah Emery Esq rs two
of his majestys Justices of the Peace for said Province who
have warnd a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Hampton falls to
be held the 30 th Jan y 1770
HAMPTON FALLS. 1 39
The following Objections to the Legality & Propriety of the
Calling and holding said Meeting are humbly offered —
i. Justices have no authority to Call town meetings unless
the Selectmen Refuse — But such a meeting as is now Called
hath not been Requested of the Selectmen or Refused by them
Consequently the Justices authority cannot take place
2 The Denial of the Selectmen must appear to be unreason-
able Otherwise Justices have no authority and the Justices can-
not know that the Denial is unreasonable without hearing what
Reasons the Selectmen have to offer unless they will Judge
Exparte which cannot be presumed — But in the present case
the Selectmen had Sufficient Reason to give (if they could have
had Opportunity to have offered them) why they Did not call
the meeting Requested So that if the warning for this Meeting
had been the same as was Requested of them their Denial was
not unreasonable
3 On Supposition that in Strictness you might have authority
yet it is humbly Submitted whether it is Prudent to call a meet-
ing for such Purposes as have a Direct tendency to bring the
Parish into much Greater Confusion and Difficulty than any
already arisen : and this appears to be the tendancy of the
present warning
[No signature. — Ed.]
[4-236] ^Petition for the Appointment of a Committee to
settle Parish Difficulties, jyyo.~\
Province of New Hamp e
To his Exellency John Wentworth Esq 1 " Captain General Gov-
erner and Commander in Cheif in and Over his Majestys
Province o{ New Hampshire. The Hon ble his Majestys
Councell And House of Representatives for said Province in
General Court Assembled March 26 th 1770
Humbly Shew Your Petitioners Freeholders and Inhabitants
of Hampton falls in said Province, That many Disputes and
Difficulties have Arisen and Still are Subsisting in said Parish
Respecting the Situation and Building of a Meeting House for
the Publick Worship of God in said Parish — That at present
there Appears no Prospect of Accomodating Matters and Set-
ling said Disputes But Great Danger that Lawsuits may Arise
And the Parish be Greatly Divided And put to Great Expence
and Difficulty if not wholly Broken up without the Interposi-
tion of this Honourable Court.
140
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that a Committee
may be Appointed to view the Situation of the Parish to hear
what Any Party may have to offer Respecting the Situation
And Building of A Meeting house And to Make Report to the
General Assembly what is best to be Done by the Parish to put
An End to those Disputes which have Arisen Respecting these
Matters. And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever
Pray &c.
Joseph worth
Joshua Chase
W m Blasdell
Jonathan Stanyan
Josiah white
Meshech Weare
Abner sanborn Jun
Nathan Rowe
Stephen Lang
hi*
Jedediah X Stanyan
mark
Enoch Sanborn
David Bachelder
Theophilus Sanborn
Nath 11 Hub d Dodge
malachi Shaw
Ralph Butler
Philip Burns
hh
Richard X meder
mark
Stephen Cram
Jacob Saturlay
Richard Nason
Pain Row
Nathan Cram
Dudley Sanborn
Nathan Weare
Abner Sanborn
Simeon Hilyard
Samuel Shaw
Jonathan Fifield
Nathan Green
Francis Marshall
Isaiah Lane
Jon a Stuward
william Lang
Caleb Sanborn
Samuel Prescutt
juner
Sam 1 Weare
Zebulon Hilyard
John keney
Ebenezer maloon
Christopher Blake
Hilyard Shaw
Jonathan Fifield Jur
[In H. of Rep., April n, 1770, Thomas Westbrook Wal-
dron, Richard Downing, Esqrs., and Dr. Ebenezer Thomp-
son were appointed as a committee to look into the matter,
and report. — Ed.]
[Report of the Committee. ]
Province of New Hampshire, June n th 177°
Pursuant to the order on this Petition, we have viewed the
Parish of Hampton Falls and heard what the Petitioners &
others of said Parish tho't proper to offer on the Subject matter
thereof — And altho' it does not appear that the new Meeting
House is placed as it could have been for conveniency when the
Parsonage House &c is bro't into consideration, yet it is well
Situate for a House of Publick Worship for said Parish. And
therefore are of opinion that all concerned would do well to
accept of it as such.
And for conciliating affairs in the Parish, we think two
things would have a tendency that way, viz, That such persons
of the Parish who in three months signify their inclination to
HAMPTON FALLS. I4I
have Pews in the new Meeting House, should by some resolu-
tion of said Parish (after said three months, to be taken) be put
on the same foot relative to having Pews as tho' no sale thereof
had been.
And Secondly that those persons who are better accommo-
dated by the new Meeting House & assisted in building the
same, (and no others) should present the Rev d M r Pain Win-
gate, with the Sum of Sixty pounds, in order to provide Suit-
able carriage &c for Travel of himself & family to and from
Meeting. And this seems reasonable, in consideration the
House of Publick worship will be near Two miles distance
more from him than it was when he settled ; and in general so
much the more commodious to those on which this otherwise
seeming burthen is proposed to be laid.
All which is most Humbly submitted by
Tho s W k Waldron
Rich d Downing
Eben r Thompson
[R. 2-45] \_Louisbourg Soldier, 7/46.']
[In a petition dated May 6, 1746, Sarah French, of Hamp-
ton Falls, states that she is " Widow and Relict of John
French Late of Hampton falls who Died at Louisbourg in the
service of his King and Country and left a Large family of
Small Children." She asks for assistance. The petition
was dismissed, as her husband was in the service of Massa-
chusetts. — Ed.]
[R. 2-46] [ Crown Point Soldier, iy^6J\
[William French of this town was in the Crown Point
expedition, Ezekiel Worthen's Co., Col. Nathaniel Me-
serve's Reg. He entered May 1 ; dismissed October 18. —
Ed.]
[R. 2-47] [Abigail DwiniteW s Petition, i/jg.~]
[In a petition dated May 15, 1759, Abigail Dwinnell, of
Hampton Falls, states that she is the widow of Amos Dwin-
nell, who " was a soldier in the Service of this Province at
Albany in the year 1756 where he died." — Ed.]
142 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-48] [Petition of Isaac Tobey, iy6o.~\
[In a petition dated January 15, 1760, Isaac Tobey of this
town states "That your Petitioner was a soldier in the Ser-
vice of this Province the Summer Past, That while he was
in the Service at Sarratoga he had his Gun Stolen." He
asked for an allowance for the same, but the petition was
." dismissed." — Ed.]
[R. 2-49] \_jfo7tat7ia7i Knowlton, Soldier, iy6o.']
[Jonathan Knowlton, son of Ebenezer, was in the service
under Capt. Marston in 1759, and was taken sick at Albany
Flats. His father went after him, and took him home, where
he died soon after. His father presents bill of Dr. John
Weeks for attendance, which was allowed to the extent of
thirty-two shillings sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2-51] [Isaiah Row, Soldier, 1760.']
[Petition of Isaiah Row, of Hampton Falls, who states
that he was in the province service in 1760, returned home
in December, and was soon after taken with small-pox. He
was attended by Dr. Anthony Nutter, and presents a bill
for all expenses, amounting to £325 old tenor, and was
allowed £13 sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2—54] [Eleazer ®)uimby, Soldier, iy6o.~\
[Petition of Eleazer Quimby, who states that his brother
Elisha was in the service in 1760, came home in December,
was taken sick with small-pox, and died. He was allowed
£7, 11, 2.— Ed.]
[R. 2-57] [David Steward, Soldier, iy6i.~\
[David, a minor son of Jonathan Steward, was at Crown
Point in 1761 ; was sick at Keene on the way home. His
father went and got him home, and was allowed 30 shil-
lings. — Ed.]
HAMPTON FALLS. 1 43
[4-237] [Proceeding's in a Parish Meeting, 1773-2
We the subscribers being present at the Annual Parish meet-
ing at Hampton falls 9 th of march 1773- — Jon a Fifield Esq 1 ' was
Chosen moderator after which he the Moderator ordered the
Voters to bring in their Votes for a Clerk in wrighting and
after the Moderator had counted them he declared Cap n Caleb
Sanborn was Chosen Clerk — A Dispute Immediately Arose and
a Poll demanded, which was denied some Considerable space
of time, but more than one hour after the first demand, the
Moderator granted a Poll, & ordered them that were for M r
Benj a Tilton to be Clerk, to go out at the east end of the Meet-
ing house, & them that were for Cap* Caleb Sanborn, to go out
at the west end, & ordered m r David Batchelder to number
them, said Batchelder said, the number for Tilton was forty
Three — But those that were for Sanborn kept there places, in
the meeting House, & would not go out to be numbered the
Moderator & others then said Sanborn was Chosen by Proxy,
& that was the end of the Law The party for Benj a Tilton still
required a fair Devision by Poll, & about Twenty then again
demanded it — After some time more was Spent in dispute the
Moderator ordered all them that were for m r Benj a Tilton to be
Clark to go into the Womens seats, and them for Cap* Sanborn
to go into the mens seats, and again m r David Batchelder Num-
ber'd both parties — After which said Batchelder said the num-
ber for Tilton was fifty five and the number for sanborn did not
exceed Thirty three — and directly after said Batchelder had
reporeted the numbers, the Moderator Administered the oath
of a Clerk to Cap* Caleb Sanborn — Our Judgement by Appear-
ence of the Numbers is that their was more than two for Tilton
to one for Samborn —
John Lane Henry Elkins Abraham Sanborn
Samuel Tucke J onn Blake Jesse Tucke
[4-238] [Summons to Witnesses in foregoing matter.~\
Province of New Hamp re
To Major John Lane of Kensington Cap* Henry Lane Elkins
Ensign Samuel Tuck David Batchelder
You are hereby required to make your appearance before the
General Assembly on Wednesday next then to give evidence of
What you know relative to a Petition preferred by sundry of the
Inhabitants of Hampton falls of & concerning a dispute at their
last annual Town meeting with regard to the Choice of a Parish
Clerk as by said Petition more fully appears —
144 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Hereof fail not as you will answer your default under the
pains & penalties of the Law
Dated at Portsmouth the thirteenth day of May A D 1773 —
Geo : King D Sec r
Province of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
May 13 th 1773.
I have Summoned all the within named Witnesses to Appear
According to the within Summons —
Per Jonathan Cram
[4-239] \_Petition concerning aforesaid Dispute.~\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Captain General Gov-
erner and Commander in Chief in and Over his Majestyes
Province of New Hampshire ; To the Hon ble his Majestys
Councill, And to the Hon ble House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Assembled May 1773.
Humbly Shew your Petitioners That at our Annual Parish
Meeting in March Last, after the Moderator was without contro-
versy or Opposition Chosen it was moved that the Parish Clerk
Might be Chosen by written votes, they were Accordingly
Called for and Regurlaly brought in and no Exceptions taken
or Complaint made that the Ballot was not fair, untill it ap-
pear'd by counting the Votes that Cap 4 Sanborn was Chosen,
Then a Poll being Demanded was granted, And the two Parties
who were for or against the Clerk that had been Declared
Chosen being Seperated and no Exception taken that the Sep-
eration was not Sufficient for Determining the Poll exactly, the
Moderator desired One of the Last years Selectmen to Count
those on One Side and who were of his party, while he Care-
fully Numbered the Other Party himself; at length M r Batchel-
der, who was the person Desired by the Moderator to Count one
side Returned to the Moderator, and without Exspressing any
uneasiness as to the Manner of the Poll or doubt as to the Num-
ber of persons he was Employed to tell, Declared the Number
precisely, and the Moderator Declar'd the Number on the Other
Side, Whereby it appeared that Cap* Sanborn was Chosen Clerk
by Poll as he before had been by Ballot — nor did any Dispute
Arise about the Regularity or Validity of the Poll that had
been taken untill the Number were Declared on both sides and
it Appeared who was Chosen. Then a Poll again Demanded
which was Judged needless and unreasonable by many and they
HAMPTON FALLS. I45
declined paying any regard to it, Insisting that the Clark was
clearly Chosen already both by Ballot and Poll, and the Mod-
erator altho' willing to have gratifyed even an unreasonable Re-
quest yet thought it incumbant upon him and did proceed to
Admit him by Oath to his Office — That as the Selectmen and
Other Parish Officers there is no dispute of their being legally
Chosen and so no pretence for having the Choice of them made
void, had the adverse Party been a Majority at the Meeting as
has been pretended they might have had an Oppertunity of
Shewing it by After Pollings and Choosing such officers as they
pleased, But as we doubt not they being Conscious that they
were the Minority withdrew and left the Majority peaceably to
Choose those Officers they saw fit. That at the Adjournment of
the Meeting, upon a Motion made by one in Opposition to the
proceedings of the Meeting it was put to vote whether the Par-
ish would reconsider their Votes respecting the Choice of Parish
Officers and it passed in the Negative, That the Selectmen and
Other Officers have proceeded in their business as bound by the
duty of their Offices Excepting wherein they have been pre-
vented by some persons unreasonably keeping the books and
Other necessary papers belonging to the Parish out of their
hands — That it would put the Parish to very great Trouble and
Expence to Call a new Meeting, and Especially to Choose all
the officers anew wou'd throw many Affairs into great Confu-
tion such as takeing the Invoices for Taxation as by law Di-
rected, paying the School Marster and the Like which we trust
will not be done only in Case of necessity and much less where
there is no pretence of Dispute in any transaction of the Meet-
ing except in the Choice of Parish Clerk and in that as we
humbly Conceive very unreasonable. And we apprehend that
the Major Part of the Parish who were at Said Meeting are not
only fully Satisfied that the Meeting was legally and fairly Con-
ducted but also well Contented with the Persons Chosen to the
Several Offices, We are led thus to Lay before your Excellency
and Honours an Account of the Proceeding at Said Meeting be-
ing informed that a Number of the Inhabitants of Hampton falls
have Petitioned the General Assembly representing the Proceed-
ings at said Meeting to be illegal and unfair and praying they
may be Set aside A Copy of which Petition with the order of
Court for a hearing thereon has been Read to, but Refused to
be left with the Moderator of Said Meeting, so not being Ac-
quainted with any thing more then the General purport of the
Petition cannot make so purticular a Reply As Otherwise he
might. But can only give a true Account of the Proceedings of
the Meetings by which we trust it will appear Clear to your Ex-
cellency and Honours that their Petition is Groundless and Cal-
culated to keep up Divisions and Disputes in the Parish —
12
I46 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly Pray That said Petition may
be Dismiss'd, and as in Duty Bound we Shall Ever pray &c :
Richard Nason Jon a Fifield Jur Ralph Butler
Hilyard Shaw Francis Marshalls Aaron Smith
Philip Burns J°n a Tilton Jr Nathan Weare
Abner Sanborn Jun er Gideon Marshall Nath" Hub d Dodge
David Norton Richard Mace Pain Row
Caleb sanborn Obadiah Worth Malachi Shaw
Jacob Saturlay Joseph worth Simeon Hilyard
Abner Sanborn Jon a Stuward Samuel Robie
William Lang John Gove Davaid Nason
Joseph Wells moses Norton Joseph Batchelder
Isaiah Lane John Kenney Joshua Chase
Zeb n Hilyard Stephen Cram David Pearkins
Walter Williams Stephen lang Jonathan Fifield
Theophilus Sanborn Husev Hoag Meshech Weare
Chaney Smith W m Blasdell
I was not present at the Meeting but from all the Accounts I
have Since had Am fully Satisfied the foregoing is a true Ac-
count of the transactions of the Meeting respecting the Poll
[The last clause is in the handwriting of M. Weare. —
Ed.]
[4-240] \_Anotker State??ie?it relative to the foregoing
Dispute.^
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esquire Captain General
Governer & Commander in Chief in & Over his Majesties
Province of New Hampshire
To the Hon ble his Majesties Councill and House of Representa-
tives for Said Province Convened in Generall Assembly —
Most Humbly Sheweth
The Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Parish of
Hampton-falls in the County of Rockingham in Said Province —
That at the Annual Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhab-
itants of Said Parish held at the New-meetinghouse in Said
Parish on the Ninth day of March AD 1773 — Jonathan Fifield
Esq r was Chosen Moderator for Said Meeting, and Called upon
the Voters to bring in their Votes for a Parish Clerk, whereupon
one Party Voted for Caleb sanborn and the Other Party (of
which your Petitioners are) Voted for Benjamin Tilton to be
Parish Clerk for the Currant year, and upon Sorting the Votes
HAMPTON FALLS.
147
the Said Moderator Declared that Capt Caleb Sanborn was
chosen, But we (Suspecting that Several who Voted for Said
Sanborn were not Legal Voters and that some had put in more
than One Vote Each) to the Number of Eighteen Desired and
Requested a Poll, which was for some time Denied us, but at
length Granted, and David Batchelder one of the Select men
was Ordered to Number the Polls of the Voters, who made Re-
port to the Said Moderator that there was Fifty five Votes for
the Said Tilton & Thirty two or thirty three for Said Sanborn —
Notwithstanding which the Said Moderator then (to our great
Surprise) declared the Said Sanborn to be Chosen Clerk and
imediately Administered the Oath to him Accordingly —
Which Proceedings We humbly Conceive to be Unfair, Ille-
gal and Designed by the Said Moderator to hurt and Injure the
Major Part of the Legal Voters in Said Parish —
Wherefore and for many other good Reasons to be offered &
Proved to your Excellency & your Hon rs upon a hearing of this
our Petition We Humbly Pray your Excellency & Honours to
take our Case under your wise Consideration and Nullify and
make Void the Proceedings of said Meeting and Order the
Selectmen for the last year or some other Person or Persons to
Call and warn another Meeting of said Freeholders & Inhabitants
as soon as may be for the Choice of all Parish officers in said
Parish for the Currant year, Or Otherwise grant us Such Relief
in the Premises as to your Excellency and Honours Shall Seem
Meet. —
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray &c
Hampton falls March 29 th 1773.
Jonathan Burnam
Stephn Swain
Peter Tilton
Stephen Tilton
Benjamin melcher
James Prescutt
Malcher Ward
Elisha Prescutt
Richerd moulton
Caleb Swain
John flood
Jeremiah Lane
Benja moulton
Jeremiah Blake
Nehemiah Cram
William Prescut
Michael Tilton
Radmund moulton
Samuel Lane Jun r
Nathan Tilton
Nathan Tilton
Samuel Prescot
James Prescut juner
William Swain
Jediah Sleeper
henry Blake
Jonathan Cram
Benj a Tilton
Samuel Melcher
Juner
Caleb Tilton
Ebenezer Tilton
Joshua Blake
Samuel Melcha
Samuel Lane
John Swain
Benjamin Sanbun
William Davison
[2-242] [D. Bachelder's Statement concerning same. ]
David Bachelders Decleration of the managment of the an-
nual metting Held in Hampton Falls on march 9 th 1773 being
I48 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
one of the Select men to Call Said metting first Jonathan Fifield
Esq 1 * was Chosen moderator one part Carried their Votes for
Cap' Sanborn to be Parish Clerk in Number 38 the other Voted
for m r Benjamin Tilton to the Num r of 37 But we being Scrup-
lus of Some of theirs being Legal Voters we Desired a pole
which was for Some time Denied we Nevertheless Continued to
Desire a fare opportunity That the matter mite be Farley Deter-
mined who was Chosen to the office of Parish Clark & after
Somthing more Then an our the moderator Grainted a pole &
ordered Thouse That where for Cap' Sanborn to go out at the
mens End Door & thouse who where for m r Tilton to go out at
the womans End Door & Desired me to Number thouse that
went out at the womans End Door and Said That he would
Number thouse that went out at the mens Door Immediately
thouse who where for M r Tilton went out at the womans Door to
the Number of 43 but Not one went out at the mens door For
Cap Sanborn we where tould by the moderator That Cap' San-
born was Chosen by Proxes & That That was the End of the
Law our party was Stil Very uneassy & Stil Desired a fare Dis-
sission of the Distute by a pole to the Number I thought of 15
or 20 at Length the moderator ordered that thouse which where
for m r Tilton to Draw into the womans Seats & those that
where for Cap' Sanborn to Draw into the mens Seats & Desired
me to Number them I accordingly Numbered them as Near as
I Could 6l Found fifty five for m r Tilton & about thirty two or
thirty three for Cap' Sanborn I immediately tould the modera-
tor the Number of Voters on both Sides but then Directly to
my Great Supprise the moderator administraed the oath to Cap'
Sanborn to be parish Clark & then proseeded to Chose the Se-
lect men This relation I am Ready to give oath is matter of Fact
& as Near as I Can relate the management of the meetting
Hampton Falls march 13 th 1773
David Bachelder
the following are the Names of those that Disired a pole
Cap' Jonathan Tilton Samuel Lane Elisha Present
Nathan tilton Samuel Prescut Jeremiah blake
Jeremiah Lane J onn Swain Nehemiah Cram
Jonathan Cram David Bachelder James prescut Juner
Henry blake Cap' Jonathan bur- Benjamin Sanborn
C ap Benjamin moul- nuin Stephen Swain
ton william Davidson
Voted that the Meeting mentiond in the Petition has been
Illegally Conducted & that it thereby is Dissolved & that a New
Meeting be held & in consideration of the Division in said Par-
ish that Col Jn° Philips Esq r a member of this house be a Mod-
HAMPTON FALLS. 1 49
erator of Said Meeting he giving Notice of the time & Place
& design of holding the same & that the Legal Charge the Per-
sons who were Chosen Select Men have been at in the Service
of the Parish shall be defrayd by the Parsh as tho the Said Meet-
ing had been Valid and that the Petition 1 " 8 have leave to bring in
Bill accordingly
[In H. of Rep., May 19, 1773. The proceedings of the
aforesaid meeting were declared to have been illegal, and
another meeting was ordered to be held, and in considera-
tion of the "division in said Parish, Col Jn° Phillips Esq"
was appointed to act as moderator. — Ed.]
[4-243] [Election of a Magistrate, iyy6.~\
Colony of New Hampshire
Hampton falls July I st 1776
att a Meeting of the freeholders and Inhabitants of Said
Hampton-falls and when meet Samuel Weare was made Choice
of for a Justice of Peace for Said Parish by a Unanimous Vote
Samuel Prescot 1 Select Men
Abner Sanborn >■ of
Jeremiah Blake Jur. ) Hampton falls
To The Hon ble Philips White Esq Speaker of the House of
Representees
[4-244] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.^
State of Newhampshire County of Rockingham
Pursuant to an order from the Hon ble General Assembly of
Said State We have taken an Exact number of the Male polls
of Twenty one years old & upwards Paying for themselves a
Poll tax within the Town of Hamptonfalls and find them to
amount to one Hundred & Six Persons — 106
James Prescut ju er ") Selectmen
Caleb Tilton \ of
Benj a Pike J Hamptonfalls
Exeter December the 5 th 1783 —
the above Subscribers made oath to the truth of the above Re-
teturne before me —
Nath 11 Folsom
Jus 1 Peace —
150
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-59]
Account of supplies to Soldiers Families from the Town of
Hampton falls from January first 1783 till July first 1783
Jonathan Millers Family
Edward Wades Family
John Rawlins Family
Melcher Wards Family
Caleb Tilton
Benj a Pike
Sworn before Sam 1 Weare
£5, 7, 11,
7> 3> o,
4, 10, 6,
5> 18, 7>
James Present Jn r ") Selectmen
V
of
) Hampton falls
[4-245] \_jRecommendatlo?z for Appointment of Magistrate.^
Hampton Falls Nov r 4 th 1789
Sirs
We the subscribers beg leave to Recommend to your Excel-
lency and Honors, Col. Caleb Tilton of this Place as a Person
well qualified for a Justice of the Peace, and beg he may be
appointed to that Office —
We are Sirs, with due Respect your Excellency and Honors
most Obedient Servants, —
His Excellencv the President and Hon ble Council —
Caleb Sanborn
Isaiah Lane
Jeremiah Lane
Aaron Wells
Simeon prescutt
Joseph Wells
Nath 11 Dod<re
Abner Sanborn
Josiah Peaver
Benj a Pike
Nath u Hub d Dodge
Benj a Tilton
Meshech Sanborn
James Prescutt
Jon a Burnham
Peter Tilton
James Prescut ju<
Michael Tilton
George Fifield
[4-246] ^Relative to worki?ig Highway Taxes in Hampton
Falls and Seabrook Parishes, i/gi.^
To the Hon le President Senators and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled.
The Petition of the Subscribers chosen as a Committee in
HAMPTON FALLS. 151
behalf of the Parish of Hampton falls at a Legal Meeting of the
freeholders and Inhabitants Thereof in August last passed for
the purpose of making application to the Honorable General
Court, humbly Sheweth —
That some Years ago, upon the settlement of the Rev d M r
Wingate as the Minister of this Parish, — Seabrook was taken
off from Hampton-falls and made a distinct Parish on account
of their dissent from said settlement ; and a line of Division
was Drawn betwixt the said Parishes by Order of General
Court.
That notwithstanding the said line of Division Liberty was
given by the Court to any Person on either side of said Line to
Poll off with their Estates into the other Parish within Two
Months after the said Division was made the plain Design of
which was that they might have their choice as to the enjoy-
ment of the Privileges of religious worship in one Parish or the
Other —
That in consequence of this Liberty some Persons within the
Line of Seabrook Polled into Hampton falls ; and likewise sun-
dry Persons within the line of Hampton-falls Polled into Sea-
brook ; by which means much difficulty hath been occasioned
as to doing their part in repairing highways :
Whereas it would be more convenient for both Parishes if
they who have Polled ; might be Obliged to do their part of
Labour on the Road within the Lines of the Parishes in which
they belonge ; why this was not mentioned in the Charter was
entirely thro' forgetfulness :
Therefore it is our Humble Petition that Your Honours in
your wisdom would Pass an Act that all. those Inhabitants who
Lives within the Bounds of s d Hampton falls who have Polled
into Seabrook be caused to work or pay their proportion of
Taxes According to their Polls and Estates on Roads or High-
ways within the Bounds of s d Hampton falls ; Also all those
Inhabitants who Live within the Bounds of Seabrook who have
Polled into Hampton falls be caused to work or pay their pro-
portion of Taxes According to their Polls and Estates, on Roads
or highways within the Bounds of Seabrook, — As in Duty
Bound shall Ever Pray.
Dated at Hampton falls November 26 AD 1791
Abner Sanborn \
David Bachelder > Committee
George Fifield j
[Petition granted December 6, 1792. — Ed.]
152 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
HANCOCK
This town was incorporated November 5, 1779, and
named in honor of Gov. John Hancock of Massachusetts,
who was one of the original proprietors of the town. The
territory comprised in the township was a portion of Society
Land, so called, belonging to the Masonian Proprietors,
some of which had been settled by John Grimes in 1765,
and, within four or five years from that time, by Moses Mor-
rison, William Lakin, and others.
January 16, 1794, the farm of Joseph Putnam, of Society
Land, was annexed to this town.
January 1, 1849, the farm of John Flint, of Antrim, was
annexed to Hancock.
[5-23] [ Consent of Inhabitants of the East Side to the
Incorporation of Hancock, iyyg,~\
State of New Hampshire And County of hillsborough
These may Sartfy the honorable Council And house of Rep-
resentatives for said state That we whose names are underriten
and Sined who Live in the Society Land So Called on the
East Side of Contoocook River have no obctions to make
against the in habintients on the weast Side of S d River in the
Society afore S d to be incorporated Into Town and Likewise to
be Disanexed From those on the west —
Society Land April 20 th 1779
Robert Rogers James gragg Isaac Butterfield
Charles Lawrance John gragg Samuel Butterfield
Alexander parker Samuel Dickey
[5-24] [Pctitio?z for an Incorporation of the To~V7i, I77Q.~\
To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives for
the State of New hampshier in general asembly Conveen d at
Exeter in the mounth of June 1779 —
the Humble petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of that
part of the Society So Called Laying on the west Side of Con-
taucook River and South of Antrim North of petterBorough &
Dublin & East of Packersfield —
HANCOCK. 153
Humbly Sheweth that by Reason of the Large flats on Each
Side of s d Contaucook River it will Ever be Impractable to
Build any Bridge and therefore there Can be no Communica-
tion with those that inhabite on the East Side of Said River all
which will Render it inconvenient to be incorporated into one
Body and them Inhabiting on the East Side of S d River have
Signed their willingness to be Disanexed from those on the
West —
furthermore your pettitioners would Inform your Hounours
that the tract of land on which we Inhabit from the River west
to packerfeild East Line is Six mills and one Half and from
Antrim South Line to Pettersbrough North Line is five mills
and near one Half and the Land is so good that it will make a
very Comodious town or Parish and your petitioners pray your
Honours that they may be Incorporated and invested with all
town priviladges as other Incorporated towns — your Honours
Compliance with the above petition Will greatly oblidge your
petitioners and they as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray
Society June the 3 d 1779
Robert Duncan John Cumings Asa Adams
Moses Morison Joseph Simonds Nathan Meriam
Jonathan Bennett Timothy moors Adam Patterson
Thomas Miller Reuben Cumings Arther grayham
John Moor Joel Russell David Ames
John Miller J onn Cumings Juner William Lakin
Thomas English Oliver Lawrance John Foster
Stephen Bennett James Davis
william williams W m Williams J r
[In answer to the foregoing the town was incorporated
November 5, 1779. — Ed.]
[5-25] [Petition relative to Taxes, 177Q ».]
State of New Hampshire
To The Hon ble the Council and House of Representatives for
the State of Newhampshire afores d in General Assembly
Covened —
The petition of the Inhabitants and Proprietors of the Lands
of the place called and Known by the Name of y e Society Land
in the County of Hillsb in the State of New hampshire afores d
humbly sheweth —
That y e said Place called y e Society Land is Taxed for y c
154
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Current Year for a Larger Sum than other places and Towns
in Proportion, in the same State, being One pound five shillings
n d to Every Thousand pound — and we further Shew that in
fact we the said Inhabitants are very poor and Low in the
world, our Lands are a great Part of them Low and Sunken.
we have many Large ponds and some very mountainous and
Rocky Land — which are not nor Ever Can be improved — The
Road thro y e Township could not be made Good and passable
for Teams, in One year, for y e whole Sum y e Township is
worth, it being so Exceeding Rocky mountainous and Sunken —
We declare our Selves Good and faithfull Subjects to the state
afores d and Truely willing to pay our full Proportion of publick
Taxes ; but at the same time upon considering Every Circum-
stance, we are assured and do plainly See that our Valuation
was given in three Times too Large, in Proportion to other
Towns, Therefor We humbly pray for an abatement in our
Tax in such proportion as your Hon rs in your Wisdom shall see
fit, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever pray —
Society Land Septemb 1 " 7 th 1779
Jacob Ames
Robert Duncan
John Moor
Williams Clarck
Asa Adams
Adam patterson
Edmund Davis
David Hubbard
Thomas Barrett
Signers Neames
David Ames
Jonathen Bennett
John Miller
Jesse Cristey
Stephen Bennett
Williem Lakin
Jon a Davis
Amos Barrett
Joseph Hay ward
Moses Morison
Thomas Miller
Robert Wyllie
Benj m Wilson
William Williams
James Davis
Charles Barrett
Jonas Wheeler
John Preston
[5-25^] [Refto?'t of Co?n?nittee to locate a Meeting- House ,
'785-1
State of new Hamp re ) Hancock may y e 3 d 1 7S5
Hillsborough county
Your committee appointed to fix on the place for bidding a
Metting house in said Hancock having meet and viewed the
Ground & heard the pleas, beg leave to Report — that the place
Agreed upon for the aforesaid porposs is on the plain at the
South End of noraway Pond so called there marked out and
shown to the Inhabitants which is submitted
John Duncan
Levi Spaulding
Jo : Young
HANCOCK. 155
[2—26] [Petition for Special Tax to Build a Meeting- House .]
State of New Hamp re ) to the Hon 1 the sennat and House of
Hillsborough ss j Representatives in Gen 1 Court at Con-
cord convened
The Memorial of us Nonresident Owners of lands in Han-
cock shews that whereas a Petition hath been perfered Request-
ing a tax to be Laid on all the Lands in s d Hancock for the
purposs ofbulding a house for publick worship & it appeare-
ing to be for our intrest & the publick Good we also pray that
the subject matter prayed for in s d petition may be Granted and
your Memorialests as in Duty Bound will ever pray &c —
James Davis Jon a Davis J onn Preston
Amos Barrett Ben n Knight Moody Morss
Elezer Cumings Charles Barrett Elijah Hills
James Hosley Noah Wheeler
[5-27] [Petition for Appointment of a Co?nmittee to locate
a Meeting- House, iy8j.']
State of new Hamp r
To His Exalancy the Presidant the Honerable the Council and
House of Representatives in general Assembly at Concord
Convened —
A Petition in behalf of the Inhabitants of Hancock humbly
shews that we have been at pains and cost to find the Centor of
our town in Order to buld a House for Publick Worship : but
Unfortunatly it falls in a Bogg where it is not possable to buld :
and altho we have Meetings Called Reppitedly for that pourpos :
yet we Cannot all Agree where to move it to find the Ground
that will be most Suttable and Convenient : Wherefor we pray
that your Honors would appoint a Committy of three Persons
out of towns ajacent that is not Intrested for the porpos afore-
said as we have agreed to abide the Judgement of s d Comitty
and pay the Cost : and your Petitionars as in Duty bound will
ever pray
Hancock Jen y y e 20 th 1785
T y>. ") a Commit-
James Duncan I , r
SethHadley t g for ,
J ) Hancock
[In H. of Rep., February 10, 1785, a committee was
appointed, consisting of John Duncan, Esq., Capt. Levi
Spaulding, and Dr. John Young. For report, see ante. —
Ed.]
I56 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-28] [Petition for Authority to levy a Tax to Build a
Meeting- House ) 1785. ~\
State of New Hamp re ) to the Honerable the Sennet & House
Hillsborough County ) of Representatives in General Court
Convened —
A Petition in behalf of the Inhabitants of Hancock Humbly
Shews : that s (1 Hancock was not Granted to any number of
persons as other towns in this State have Been nor aney Lands
Given for aney publick Use but a Great part of the land in s d
town is owned by non-Residants the most of whome lives in the
massachusetts who do not incline to Sell or Settle their lands:
so long as they find them advanceing by our labour : whilest all
the burthing of Roads &c : layeth heavey on the oppressed
inhabitants: & Whereas other towns in the same sittuation have
Upon applycation been Relived : which incorigeth us to hope
that we will not be worse Used than other subjects wherefor
we pray that your honors would Grant us a small tax on all the
Land in s d Hancock for the sole purpose of bidding a house for
Publick Worship : and your petitioners as in Dub' Bound will
Ever Pray
Hancock may y e 16 th 17S5
Seth Hadley ] n ...
t? it • , , Comittee
Enes Knisrht
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
November 4, 1785. — Ed.]
[5-29] \_Relative to building a Meet i?ig- House, 1787. ,]
State of New Hampshire —
To the Great and General Court of said State to be conven'd on
the first Wensday of June next. —
The Select men of the Town of Hancock in behalf of s d
Town Humbly Shews. — that they received an Act passed by
said Court upon the 2 d of November, 17S5, Impo wring the
Select Men of Hancock to Assess the Lands in said Hancock
for the purpose of Building a Meeting house in s d Town at one
penny an Acre for the term of three years. — But in s d Act there
appears liberty for the whole thereof to be paid in Certificates
— which liberty must of Necessaty prevent our Building at
present for we Cannot purchase one article for Building with
them so as to answer our purpose — we therefore pray the Hon-
orable Court to take our Case into there Consideration and
HANCOCK. 157
reverse that Clause of said Act which has respect to said Tax
being paid in Certificates, and Order it to be paid in hard
Money Grain and Lumber, or some other way, to i\nswer our
purpose, as they in their wisdom shall see meet, and your
Petitioners in duty bound shall ever pray
Hanocock April 26 th 1787
Edmond Davis ) selectmen
Samuel Gates V of
Oliver Lawrence ) Hancock
Hon bIe the General Court —
[The petition was dismissed. — Ed.]
[5-30] ^Petition of yoseph Putna?n to be annexed to Han-
cock, 1793.]
to the Legeslature of the State of New hamp re in general Court
Convened at Concord on the first wensday of June 1793
the petition of Joseph Putnam of the Society land in the
County of Hillsborough humbly shews that your petitionar
lives Remote from any neighbour in Said Society and a great
part of his land lays in Hancock and he attends publick wor-
ship there and owns a pue in the Meeting house and cannot
conveniently be joyned to any other Society and now pays taxes
for a great part of his Intrest there — Wherefore your petitioner
prays your honners that he with the whole of his Intrest be dis-
anexed from the Said Society where they injoy no previlages
and be anexed to the town of Hancock and as in dutty will
ever pray
Joseph Putnam
[5-29^] \_Consent of the Town to the foregoing.^
At a Townmeeting held in Hancock upon the 13 th of may
1793 — James Duncan Moderator — Voted to Receive W m Joseph
Putnam of Society so called as an inhabitant of said Hancock
and approve of his being annexed thereto provided the Gen-
eral Court shall Concur therewith.
Coppy attest
James Hosley Town Clerk.
[Joseph Putnam's farm was annexed to the town January
16, 1794. — Ed.]
158 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5 _ 3 r ] \Relative to Militia Regiments, iy8j.~\
To His Execellency the Presedent and the Hon ,jle the Senate &
Hon blc House of Representatives of the State of New Hamp-
shire In General Court Assembled at Concord in said State
Humblety Sheweth the Selectmen of Hancock in the County
of Hillsborough — In behalf of the Inhabitants of s d Town —
That at the last session of the Gen 1 Court a vote past by which
the 12 th Rig 4 of melitia was Divided and the west part Call d
N° 12 and the east part Call d N° 23.
The Real situation & all the Circumstances of the towns that
Now Compose the East Rigement we suppose was not then
laid before the Hon ble Court for we believe if they had it would
not have passed — wherefore we beg leave to say That the East
Rig 4 (viz) New Ipswich mason Wilton Temple Peterbor-
ough, Lyndsborough societ Hancock & Peterboroughslip Was
L s d
all formerly of the fifth Regiment — That they pay 49-1 ^-10 to
every £1000 of the State Taxes as will appear by the last pro-
portion Act — And that the west or 12 th as by s d vote (viz)
Ringe Fitzwilliam Jaffery Marlborough Dublin & Packersfield
pays but £32-13 which is not two thirds so much or in other
s d
words we pay £17-2-10 more to every £1000 than they which
is more then half they pay — That we are Nine towns to their
six — That more than 1100 poles was return'd in the last Inven-
tory in y e Nine & but little more than 600 in the west Rig*
And That the most of the Towns in the East Reg' was settled
(viz), New Ipswich Wilton mason Peterborough & lyndsbor-
ough a Number of years before there was one Inhabitant in the
six towns which Now takes away our Number — And that there
is now four Field officers within the this Reg 4 (to wit) Heald
Willson Abbot & Clerk (which Cannot by the melitia Rules,
which is only Honour) renew their Commitions in the 23 d
regim 4 — That in every point of view we Consider ourselves
agreaved by said vote — Wherefore We Humbly pray your Ex-
celency & Honours that the East Regiment (to wit) New Ips-
wich &c which is now call'd the 23 d regiment may be restored
to their former Number Or that The Devision of s d 12 th Regi-
ment may be made nul & void and be put to Gether as but one
regiment & as In Duty bound shall pray
Jan 1 * 27 th 17S5
-r-k -j tt i i i 1 Selectmen of
David Hubbard TT , .
^ j j T-» • Hancock in
Edmond Davis >, , ir c
AT t^ • behalf of
Moses Dennis ., r^
J the I own
HANOVER. 159
HANOVER.
The township was granted July 4, 1761, to Edmond Free-
man and others.
Col. Edmond Freeman, who came from Mansfield, Con-
necticut, made a settlement in town in May, 1765. The
following year Benj. Davis and Benj. Rice, from the same
place, made settlements, and others came soon after from
Coventry, Conn.
In 1770 there were about twenty families in town, living
in log-houses. In September of that year Rev. Eleazer
Wheelock, of Lebanon, Conn., settled in the town, and
established Dartmouth college, a charter having been ob-
tained from Governor Wentworth, dated December 13, 1769,
for that purpose.
An additional grant was made to the proprietors of the
township January 9, 1775, of some 2,000 acres on the north
side of the town, in consequence of some misunderstanding
concerning the bounds of the original grant.
About 300 acres of land in the south-west corner of the
town was granted to Dartmouth college December 19, 1771,
and 200 acres adjoining to Rev. Dr. Eleazer Wheelock,
president of the college.
[5-32] [ Vote of the Town relative to its Boundaries, 1772. ~]
At a Meeting of the Proprietors of Han r Sep* 23 d 1772 Voted
that wheras it now appears to this Propriety uncertain whither
they have a Legal Title to all the Land Contained within y e
reputed Boundaries of s d Hanover, we therfore think it Expedi-
ent to have the Matter relative thereto truly represented to his
Excellency our Governor And to appoint Jon th Freeman as an
agent for that purpose to act thereon and take such Methods for
secureing the Charter of all y e Land within s d Boundaries (if
needful) as he shall think proper
A True Coppy of Record
Jon th Freeman Clerk
[5-33] [Petition for an additional Grant, I7fi.~\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq 1 " Cap* General Gov-
ernor & Commander in chief in and over His Majesty's prov-
ince of New Hampshire, and Vice Admiral of the same, In
Council
l60 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The petition of Jonathan Freeman of Hanover in the County
of Grafton and province afores d as Agent for the propriety of
said Hanover, humbly sheweth — That whereas by the original
Survey of s d . Hanover the Boundaries on Connecticut River
were about Two hundred & twenty rods further distant from
each other than the length of Lines as mentioned in said Char-
ter, and the proprietors being ignorant of the same, run each of
said lines from the river Connecticut S. 64 E. agreeable to the
courses given in s (1 Charter, and have lotted out and settled on
said lands to each line, and have given considerable Tracts
adjoining to each of said lines for the use of Dartmouth College,
and being now convinced that said lines contain about Twenty
seven Hundred Acres more than the Contents of s d Charter,
which if taken from the Propriety of Hanover will throw the
Town into great confusion by breaking up Divisions, remove-
ing Settlers, &c. We therefore humbly pray that Your Exc y and
Honors would grant to us the land contained with the above
said Lines & not granted in the former Charter And we beg
leave to assure your Exc y and Honors that (as we have already
One Hundred & ten Male Inhab ts upwards of sixteen years of
Age) so we will further pursue & encourage the settlement of
s d Town.
And your pet rs as in duty Bound shall ever pray
Dated Wolfboro' Oct 8 th 1772.
Copy Exam d
Province of New Hampshire
Jon th Freeman Agent
for s d Hanover propriety
Theodore Atkinson Sec ry
In Council Feb 7 I st 1773
The within petition having been Read — Order'd thereupon —
That the Clerk of the propriety of Lime, or the Select Men (if
any there be) be served with a Copy of the petition & order of
Council thereon at the cost of the pet rs that they may be heard
thereon on Tuesday the 23 d of March next to shew cause why
the prayer of s d petition may not be granted.
Copy
Theodore Atkinson Sec y
Province of New Hampshire
Lime 22 d of Feb 7 1773
Then read the foregoing petition and Order of Council there-
on within the Hearing of the selectmen of the Town of Lime,
HANOVER. l6l
and likewise left a True Coppy of s d petition and Doings of the
Council thereon, with the Clerk of s d Lime Propriety
Peters Grant
Indifferent person
[5-35 is a plan showing the line in question. The grant
was made January 9, 1775. — Ed.]
[5-36] \_John Crane for Leave to establish a Hospital,
I773 : 1
Province of ) To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq 1 " Cap-
New Hamp re j tain General Governor & Commander in Chief
in and over his Majesty's Province afores d and
Vice Admiral of the same in Council —
The Humble Petition of John Crane of Hanover in the
County of Grafton in the Province aforesaid Physician unto
your Excellency and Honours shews —
That you Petitioner has a great Inclination of erecting an
Hospital for Enoculation for the small Pox in some remote Part
of said Town of Hanover under such Regulations as your Ex-
cellency & Honours may subject the Institution. Your Peti-
tioner humbly concieves that there are many advantages that
may result to the Public from his Intentions if permitted by y r
Excell y & Hon r especially as that Part of the Country will short-
ly be exposed to travellers from the Province of Canada and
your Petitioner has in thought making the Hospital of publick
Utility which he begs leave to lay before y r Excellency & Hon-
ours in Person, if he may be indulged with an Audience and
y r Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Portsmouth May 28 1773
John Crane
[5-37] \_jfonathan Freeman relative to Hanover addition.~\
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Cap* General Gov-
ernor and Commander in chief in and over His Majesty's of
New Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the same in Council
The Petition of Jonathan Freeman of Hanover in the County
of Grafton and Province afores d Humbly sheweth That your
Petitioner being appointed as an Agent for the Proprietors of s d
Hanover (on the 23 d of Sept r 1772) to procure a Charter of a
piece of Land lying on the Northerly part of said Hanover to
be confirmed to said Town and your Petitioner did on the 8 th
!3
l62 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of Oct r 1772 Petition your Excellency and Honours for a grant
of the aforesaid Land which Petition being read in Council
Feb 7 I st 1773 it was ordered that the Clerk of the Propriety of
Lime or select Men of s d Town should be served with a Coppy
of the said Petition and Order of Council thereon, and that the
said Select Men and Proprietors were accordingly served with
a Coppy of the said Petition on the 22 d of Feb y 1773, all which
may appear by the records and files of council and likewise by
order of the Surveyor General a survey of the said Land has
been made and return'd into his Office, all which has been at-
tended with considerable Expense to your Petitioner and as the
Proprietors of Lime have not appeared to shew cause why the
prayer of the said petition should not be granted and the Pro-
prietors of said Hanover having in Consequence of the encour-
agement hereby given us, of a grant of said Land proceeded in
the cultivation and Settlement of the same, We therefore Hum-
bly pray that your Excellency and Honours would be pleased
to complete the grant agreeable to the prayer of the aforesaid
Petition and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Dated Portsmouth July 23 d 1774
Jonathan Freeman
agent for Hanover prop y
[4—38] \_Precept for the Election of a Representative, 1775. ~\
In Congress at Exeter December 26 th 1775, whereas a writ
issued from the late Congress of this Colony directed to the
Selectmen of Hanover requiring them to notify the legal In-
habitants paying Taxes in Hanover, Lebanon, Relhan [Enfield],
Canaan, Cardigan, [Orange] & Grafton to meet at said Hanover
and choose one Person to Represent them in General Congress
to be held at Exeter the Twenty first day of December then
next which Writ has been Returned by the Selectmen of said
Hanover, and no return thereon Certifying the choice or ap-
pointment of any Person as directed. Therefore to the end
that the Inhabitants of the aforesaid Town may not be unrep-
resented in the Present Congress. Resolved that the follozv *i?ig
Writ Issue.
Colony of New Hampshire.
THE CONGRESS OF SAID COLONY
To the Select-men of Hanover — in said Colony,
Greeting. You are hereby required to notify the legal Inhab-
itants paying Taxes in the Towns of Hanover, Lebanon, Rel-
han, Canaan, Cardigan & Grafton (giving them fifteen Days
Notice) to meet at some convenient Place in your Town, to
HANOVER. 163
elect one Person (having a real Estate of the Value of Two
Hundred Pounds Lawful Money in this Colony) to represent
them in General Congress now setting at Exeter — And to im-
power such Representative for the Term of one Year from the
21 st of December cur* to transact such Business and pursue
such measures as they may judge necessary for the public Good.
And in Case there should be a Recommendation from the
Continental Congress that this Colony assume Government in
any particular Form, which will require a House of Repre-
sentatives, that they resolve themselves into such a House as
the said Continental Congress shall recommend, and it is re-
solved that no Person be allowed a Seat in Congress, who shall
by himself, or any Person for him, before said Choice, treat
with Liquor, &c. any Electors, with an apparent View of gain-
ing their Votes, or afterwards on that Account.
And the Person who shall be elected, You are to notify, that
he attend at Exeter abovementioned. And make Return here-
of with your Doings thereon.
By order of Congress,
MATTHEW THORNTON, PRESIDENT.
Exeter Nov. the 14th 1775.
E. THOMPSON, Secretary.
[No return was made on the back of the foregoing, as no
representative was chosen. A similar precept, dated Sept.
30, 1776, was sent to the town, which was returned with the
following endorsement on the back : — Ed.]
[5-39]
Hanover Nov r 27 th 1776 —
Pursuant to the within Precept We notified the Inhabitants
paying Taxes in the Towns of Hanover Canaan and Cardigan
to meet at the meeting house in said Hanover this day for the
purposes within mentioned — Who being met passed the follow-
ing Votes. Viz.
1. Voted unanimously That the Address of the Inhabitants
of this and other Towns, to the People of the several Towns
thro' this Colony, published by their Committees in July last,
is truely expressive of our Sentiments respecting Representa-
tion and the unconstitutional Formation and proceedures of the
present Assembly of this State —
2. Voted unanimously that we will not chuse a Representa-
tive as directed in the Precept issued by the Assembly of this
State for the following Reasons Viz.
I. Because no plan of Representation is as yet formed in this
164 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
State consistant with the Liberties of a free people ; in that the
people have not universally had a full Representation in any-
Assembly since this State was declared independent of the
Crown of Great Britain, by which declaration we conceive that
the powers of Government reverted to the people at large and
of course annihilated the political Existence of the Assembly
which then was ; notwithstanding which they have since pre-
sumed to act in the name of the people, and in their precept
undertaken to prescribe & limit the mode of proceedure in our
Choice of a Representative which it does not appear that they
are to be chosen for the purpose of recognizing the rights of
the people and assuming such Government as shall be agreeable
to them, tho' nothing of that nature has at any time been clone
in this State ; except a Plan formed by the Representatives of a
part of this State, by which the whole Rights of the People are
assumed by that House.
II. Because the Precept in Consequence of which this meet-
ing was called is inconsistant with the Liberties of a free peo-
ple ; in that it directs to have different corporate Towns (who
have a right to act by themselves in all Cases) to unite for the
purpose of chusing a Representative and Counsellor
III. Because it limits us in our Choice to a Person who has
a real Estate of £200. L. M. whereas we conceive that there
ought to be no pecuniary Restriction ; but that every Elector is
capable to be elected.
3. Voted Unanimously that the Select Men be directed to
make return of the foregoing Vote with the i-easons annex'd to-
gether with the Precept to the Assembly proposed to be held
at Exeter on the third Wednesday in Dec 1 " next.
4. Voted unanimously that we will not give in our votes for
a Counsellor as directed in the Precept I. Because we can see
no important end proposed by their Creation, unless to negative
the proceedings of the House of Representatives ; which we
humbly conceive ought not to be done in a free State.
II. Because every Elector ought to have a Voice in the
Choice of each Counsellor (in Cases where they are needful) —
and not be restricted in his Choice to any particular Limits
within the State — For which Reason we protest against a Coun-
sellor being chosen in this County, as directed in the Precept.
c;. Voted unanimously that the Clerk be directed to make
return of the last Vote with the Reasons annex'd, and our Pro-
test, as the Precept directs relative to Vote for a Counsellor.
6. Voted that this meeting be dissolved — And it w r as accord-
ingly dissolved
Attest'
Ichabod Fowler \ Select Men
Thomas Durkee \ of Hanover
HANOVER. 165
[5-40] [ Vote of the Town relative to the matter in Dis-
pute.~]
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Hanover
Feb y 3 d 1777 Warned for considering and acting upon any mat-
ter that might relate to a Hand Bill from the Hon ble Meshech
Weare Esq 1- in behalf of a Committee appointed by the assem-
bly at Exeter Informing that the said Committee propose to be
at m r pains, at Hanover on the 10 th of this Inst* Feb y to con-
verse with any persons the people shall appoint in order to give
them all the satisfaction they can with regard to the proceedings
of the said assembly for the promoting peace harmony &c.
This meeting having taken the matter under consideration and
being desirous of facilitating any design to promote peace and
Harmony as well as secure the Liberties of the people thro'
this state Think it necessary that m r Weare be informed that
this Town have heretofore appointed their Committee to join
with the Committee of a number of Towns within this State
for the purpose of pursuing some proper measures to obtain a
redress of those Grievences we Labour under in consequence
of the proceedings of the late Congress and Assembly at Exe-
ter, that the doings of said Joint Committees have been laid
before and approbated by said Town, that their meeting stands
adjourned to the 13 th of this Instant Feb y at M r Ordways at
Lebanon ; and that we think it Expedient that in this matter
we act in concert with said Joint Committees as it appears to
us the most likely method to answer the End proposed namely
to satisfy the minds of the people and promote Harmony and
peace which we Earnestly desire may be effected on reasonable
Terms, for which reason we omit appointing any persons to
meet the Committee at m r Pains and refer them to the aforesaid
meeting at Lebanon.
Voted that the select Men be desired forthwith to send a
Coppy of the Above to m r Weare
David Woodward Moderator
A True Coppy Attest Jonathan Freeman Clerk
To The Hon ble Meshech Weare Esq : and the other gentle-
men of the Committe appointed by the Assembly at Exeter to
endeavour to satisfy those persons in the western part of the
State of N. Hampshire who are Dissatisfied with the proceed-
ings of s d Assembly on their Journey to Hanover Via Walpole
[R. 2-63] [Petition of Lieut, fohn House, I77Q.~]
To the Hon ble the Council & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in general Assembly convened
1 66 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Humbly Shews John House of Hanover in the County of
Grafton That in September 1775 upon the Requisition of the
late General Montgomery for the People upon Connecticut
River within this State to turn out to his Assistance at the Seige
of S l Johns Capt Israel Curtis & your Petitioner raised a Com-
pany of men who engaged as Volunteers for two months (of
which Company he was chosen Lieutenant) & served at the
said Seige — That in order to the Equipping & marching said
Company as Expeditiously as possible the said Captain & he
upon their joint credit supply* said Company with Thirty five
Blankets & Six Camp Kettles — That after the Reduction of
S l Johns the said Company was taken into the Continental Ser-
vice & the Command thereof devolved upon him That the said
Articles were worn out or lost in said Service in Canada — That
the said Captain died in Canada, insolvent & your Petitioner
has since been apply d to, for pay for said Blankets & Kettles &
has accordingly paid for the same Wherefore he prays the
matter may be taken into Consideration & that he may have an
adequate Compensation granted him — & as bound shall pray &c
March 24 th 1779
John House
Dismist
[R. 2-64] [Petition of Thomas Clark, Soldier, addressed to
the General Assembly, iy8j.~\
The Petition of Thomas Clark of Hanover in the County of
Grafton — Humbly Shews — That at the Commencement of the
present War he inlisted as a soldier during said War in the first
New Hampshire Regiment — That in the year 1777 he was
wounded, & rendered incapable of service — That in April 1778
he procured a Furlough and returned Home, where he re-
mained sick, and unable to do any business during the term of
Fifteen months — That on the sixteenth day of June Anno Dom-
ini 1 781, he procured an able bodied Man to serve in his stead
during the War, and on the same day was discharged. That
he paid to the Man he so procured one hundred Spanish Mill'd
Dollars, * * * —
Sam 1 Maccluer in behalf
of the Petitioner —
[R. 2-65] [Petition of Lieztt. fames Goold, iy8j.~\
To the honorable General Assembly of the State of New Hamp-
shire Humbly Sheweth
The petition of James Gould a Lieutenant in Col Cilley's
HANOVER. 167
Regiment in Cap* Houses company in the Continental service —
That your Petitioner being wounded in the Continental service
in Sep 1- 1777 and thereby rendered unfit for duty was afterwards
placed on half pay — and that he has not received the deprecia-
tion money due previous thereto — * * *
James Goold
Concord Nov r 5 th 1 783.
[R. 2-68]
[In a petition dated June, 1793, he, the said Goold, states
that "a short time before the taking of Gen 1 Burgoyne, in
an engagement with the enemy he received a wound by a
shot of a musquet ball through his body." — Ed.]
[R. 2-61] [Peter yohnson, Bunker Hill Soldier. ~\
[The two following documents have come to light since
the Enfield papers were in print : — Ed.]
State of New Hampshire
I the subscriber do certify that Peter Johnson Now an inhab-
itant in the town of Enfield in said state was a soldier in Capt
Goardin Huthens Compiny and Col Starks Rigimant and was
personely Preasent in the Battel at Bunk hill then and there
Receive a wound by a muskit ball in his Rite arm I then being
a Chirurgeon in said Rigimant took care of said wound and
with my own hand extracted several Peases of Boons out of
said arm and found the Cords very much damaged
Certifyd By your very Humble Serv*
Doctor Benjamin Tiffany
hanover December the 21 : 1788
[David Curtis, Moses Jones, and David Choat, selectmen
of Enfield, certified to his being unable to support his fam-
ily of five small children, in consequence of said wound.
Dated Dec. 15, 1788.— Ed.]
[R. 2-60.] [Soldiers' Orders, 1786. ,]
Sir please to pay the bearer the whole that is due to me as a
1 68 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Soldier in Cap 1 Samuel Paines Company to the Northward in
the year 1780
Nathaniel Ketchum
Hanover Jan 7 th 17S6.
to the paymaster of said Com y
£10, 13, 9.
[Orders bearing the same date, in similar language, were
signed by John Durkee, ,£io, 13, 8, and Benjamin Smith,
£11, 14, 9. The following men signed orders for pay for
service done in Capt. Abel Stevens's company, in 1780.
Elinda Brown £8, 16, 2 Corpl. Silas Tenney, £9, 10, 9
Jonathan Woodward 8, 16, 2 " robud Hase," 10, 14, 1
Salmon Dow 10, 14, 1 Daniel Jacobs 8, 16, 2
—Ed.]
[From "A return of Provisions which Hanover Men in
Cap* Freemans Comp In Col Jonathan Chases Reg*
Brought from home with them Sep* 26, 1777" I copy
the following names. — Ed.]
Edmund Freeman Nat Wright W m Woodward
David Eaton W m Dewey Salv s Freeman
Jehial Woodward Silas Tinney Elisha Smith
David Wright Jon th Curtis Tho s Brown
Benj n Davis Dan 1 Kindrick Nat Lord
Jos h Curtis Step h Benton Dav d Chandler
W m Chandler Hem 11 Durkee John Durkee
David Tinney Elij h Smith Step h Murch
[From Gen. Chase's Papers,"]
A List of the ofisers & Soldiers Engaged in the Continental
Service out of the Second company of militia in Hannover un-
der the command of cp* Joshua Henda
in new hampshear Service
211* Daniel Clapp
irgant jotham Stearns
Privates thomas Clark John Baldwin
Leu 1 Daniel Clapp Sergant William Winton
Sergant jotham Stearns
HANOVER. 169
in the Service of new york and the State of Vermont
Major John Whelock Cap* Comfort Sever
Lieu* Elezer Whelock Lieu* John Payne
Sergant Asa huntington Sergant Samuel Clap
Isac Osbon Jonathan gillit Elijah Hammon
William Broughton Benjamin Chase John Wilcoks
Benjamin Larrabe Zebina Curtis John Stockbridge
This return made By Simeon Dewey Ensign of s d Company
hannover Sep. 8 th 1777
Cap* Freemans Return [no date].
Names of Hanover men
Sarg* Sam 1 Slade Aaron Smith Ezekel Parker
Able Bridgman Deliverance Wood- Zopher Kitcham
Robert Mason ward Jr Elez r Hill
Ruben Tenney Danel Taylor Medad Taylor
A return of the men that went into the continental service
out of my company for the state of New Hampshier
William Winton aged 42 five feet six inches high place of abode
when listed was Hanover
Jotham Stearnes aged 35 six feet high place of abode when list-
ed Hanover
thomas Clark aged 36 five feet five inches high place of abode
when inlisted Hanover
the three men above written inlisted with Cap* House in Col 1
Silleys Rigement
John Bolden an indion five feet eight inches high aged 28 his
place of abode has generally ben at Dartmouth Colege in
Hanover he inlisted with Cap* Farewell in Colo 1 Silleyes
Rigement
Joshua Hendee Cap*
Hanover April y e 13 177S
To Colon 1 Jonathan Chase att Cornish
Col. Chase
Sir I have with the officers and the Concurrence of the town
have proseede to Raise the three months men and have done
as follows have inlisted four men and Drafted the other too.
the Names of the inlisted are as follows Silas Tenny Elinda
170 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Brown Daniel Jacobs and Jonathan Woodward — the Drafted
ones Ebenz r Kindrick and Abijah Smith Mr Kindrick has paid
his fine
Thomas Durkee Lieu*
Hanover July the 10 Instant 1780
To Col Jon a Chase
S r This may Certify that Robert Mason John Pindal & Me-
dad Taylor all of this Town have this week inlisted into Cap*
Houses Company Col Sillys Regiment for the Term of three
years and have been mustered by Maj. Jon a Child Muster Mas-
ter
Hanover march 20 th 1778
Attest Jon a Freeman L*
also Davis by information of L* Durgee
[5-41] \_Petition to have a part of Hanover incorporated
into a new Town, i/8j.^
To the honorable Council and Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire. Humbly sheweth The petition of the subscribers
residents of a destrict of land hereafter described in the vicinity
of Dartmouth College in the county of Grafton and State of
New Hampshire That at the settlement of said College in the
southwest part of Hanover A. D. 1770 it was proposed that a
distinct town or parish should be formed contiguous to it out of
the towns of Hanover and Lebanon ; in compliance with which
proposal the said towns have passed votes expressing their
consent that it may be effected — That the inhabitants within
said territory have formed settlements there in expectation that
such town would soon be formed ; and great inconveniences
must arise on account of their situation from a connection with
Hanover and Lebanon in town matters — That in consideration
of such inconvenience and by consent of said towns the said
inhabitants have transacted matters separate from the said towns
for near six years last past, w r hich necessity has at many times
in the course of the war compelled them to in cases of alarms
&C as a separate military company was established there be-
fore the commencement of the war — Your petitioners therefore
humbly pray that all that part of the town of Hanover bounded
southerly by the southern line of said town, eastwardly by the
two mile road (so called) and the second hundred acre lots
drawn to the original rights of the first Minister and Prince
HANOVER.
I/I
Freeman northwardly by the southern and western lines of the
second hundred acre lots drawn to the original rights of John
Sherwin Stephen Walcot Nathan Wright and Otiss Freeman
and the fifty third river lot, and westwardly by the western line
of said Hanover — Also all that part of the town of Lebanon
bounded as follows viz. Beginning at an hemlock tree (marked
4 on the south side and 5 on the north side) being the north-
west corner of said Lebanon thence running eastwardly on the
northwardly line of said town three miles to a white pine tree
marked 3 thence turning off at right angles and running south-
erly one mile and a half, thence turning at right angles and
running westwardly to the westward line of said town, thence
northerly on said line to the first mentioned bound be incor-
porated and erected into a distinct town and be invested with
such privileges and immunities as other towns within the State
have and enjoy, and so as shall best subserve the rights and in-
terest of said College,
And we would further request that Bezaleel Woodward Esq r
(whom we have appointed our Agent in this matter) may be
heard on the premises in our behalf as occasion may require.
And as in duty bound shall ever pray &C
Dresden October 24 th 1783
John Young
Joseph Lee
Asahel Warren
Sam el Green
John Smith
James Goold
Beza Woodward
Dan el Porter
Eben Brewster
Simeon Dewey
Aaron Storrs
John Crane
Sam 1 Maccluer
Jabez Bingham
Daniel Clapp
Laban Gates
Benoni Dewey
Parker Smith
Daniel Gould
Joseph Green
Luther Ingals
Benj n Colt
Ebenez. Fitch
George Eager
Sylvanus Ripley
Eleazar Wheelock
[5-42] [Return of Ratable Rolls, 1783. ~]
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss Dec r 21 st A D 1783.
Then Russel Freeman and Aaron Storrs a committee of the
town of Hanover each personally appeared and made solemn
oath that they have carefully computed the number of male
polls of twenty one years of age and upwards paying for them-
selves a poll tax in said Hanover and find the said number to
be one hundred and fifty four.
Sworn before Beza Woodward Justice of Peace
172
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-43] [Petition for the Appoi?ztvzent of a Magistrate, iy84.~\
To his Excellency, the President: the Hon. Council for the
State of New Hampshire.
The Petition of a number of the Inhabitants of the town of
Hanover, in the County of Grafton in s d State ; Humbly Shew-
eth that the Inhabitants of the Town ; are so large, as to be
more than a Competent number for one Representative ; and
that the Settlements are made in almost every part of s d town ;
and at present, we have no Justice of the Peace appointed, ex-
cept M r Woodward ; who lives in that part called the College
District, which is at one Corner of the Town, and remote from
the main body of the Inhabitants ; which renders it very in con-
veniant for the People back from the College part.
We therefore, pray, that your Excellency, and Hon rs , would
take our Case into your wise and Candid Consideration ; and at
your Next meeting to appoint the Authority, in the State, would
Nominate, and appoint M r Russel Freeman : to the office of
Justice of the peace : and your Petitioners, as in Duty bound,
will ever Pray.
Hanover Nov r 27 nd 1784.
Stephen Herrick
Salmon Dow
Calvin Topliff
Simeon Forbes
Augustus Storrs
Nathaniel Wood-
ward
Benjamin Plumley
Elijah Hurlbutt
william woodward
Silvan us Freeman
John Ord way
John Wright Jun.
Edward Smith
John Tenny
Solomon Jacobs
Nat. Heaton
Samuel Slade
Phinehas Page
Deluno Wright
Thomas Miner
Joel Brown
John Durkee
David Tenny
Lemuel Do we
Silas Tenny
John williams
Thos Durkee
Eldad taylor
Abijah Durkee
Timothy Owen
Nathaniel Ketcham
Abel parks
Webster Hall
Perlev Buck
Asa hill
Eliezar hill
Daniel Chandler
Samuel Hase
David hase
Robart hase
Benjamin Tiffany
James Tiffany
Israel Camp
Nathanae 1 Hurlbutt
Jun.
Reuben Tenny
David Woodward
Asahel Warren
Abijah Smith
Asa Parker
Timothy Parker
John Smith
Elijah Wolly
Robert Mason
John Wright
Peter Knap
David Wright
Peter Walker
Zadoc Brown
Elinda Brown
Peter Knap Jn
HANOVER.
173
[5-44] \_Petition for an Issue of Paper Money, iy84.~\
State of Newhampshire
To his Excellincy the Presidant the honourable the Senate and
house of Representatives for Said State in general assembly
Convened
The petition of us the Subscribers being inhabitants of Said
State Most humbly Shueth that your petitioners with others the
inhabitants of this State Labour under great Inconveanancy for
want of a Courancy or medium Sufficient To transeact the Com-
mon busness between Man and man But more Espeically for
the payment of publick taxes in this State and as the State is
greatly in debt and have Issued their State Nots to a Large
amount for the Interest of which they are annually Taxed as
well as for part of the principal and wheras the State is also
Caulled upon and Taxed for a Very Large Sum for the pay-
ment of interest on Continental Loan office Certificates issued
in this State the payment of all which is Rendered Next To
imposable for the Scarcely of money — Notwithstanding your
petitioners are Desireous to Discharge their publick Debets
with the Strictest honour And integrity that Nature of Things
will admit your petitioners therefore Pray your Excellincy and
honours would ammediatly Make and issue a Sum or bank of
paper money Sufficient to pay of and Discharge all Such State
Notes and Contenantal Loan office Certificats issued in this
State as aforesaid and that Said paper money might Be made a
Tender in all past or future taxes in this State and answer in
all payments in the publick Treasury and in all payments in all
private Contracts whatsoever — or otherwise Releave your peti-
tioners as to your Excellincy and honours in your wisedom
Shall Seem meet and your petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall
Ever pray —
Hanover Sep r 28 th 17S4-
Ebe r Brewster
John marshall
Benj a Chase
Sam 11 M c Cluer
Daniel Gould
Zechariah Weston
Nicholas Gilman
George Foster
Joel Brown
W ra Taylor
Luther Lincoln
Aaron Storrs
John Payne
Jabez Bingham
James Goold
Ebenezer Fitch
Ralph Wheelock
Calvin Waldo
John Ordway
Nathaniel Hulbert
Jun'
David Woodward
Tilly Howe
John Crane
Parker Smith
Benoni Dewey
John House
Benj m Coult
Joseph green
Enos Kellogg
Tho s Durkee
David Tinny
Stephen Benton
174
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nathaniel Heaton
James Murch
David Chandlar
David Hase
Jacob Eaton
Jon 11 Curtice
Asa Hill
Lemuel Dowe
John Williams
Webster Hall
John Willis
Sam 1 Hase
W B Hunt
John Bridgman
Stockm" Sweat
Gideon Rudd
Andrew Tenny
John Tenny
Eldad Taylor
David Eaton
Able Parker
Silas Tinny
Joshua Cushman
Jon 11 Beard
Ebene r Wright
Reuben Tenny
David wright
[Some of the foregoing were students at the college, and
not residents of Hanover. — Ed.1
[5-45] \_Relative to a Road through Town, laid out by a
Legislative Committee, 7786.]
To the Honourable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Hanover in
the County of Grafton Humbly sheweth
That in the oppinion of your petitioners, the County road as
laid by the states Committee through said town of Hanover,
May be altered to great advantage to the public in general as
well as to this Town in particular, as we are fully persuaded
we can show where a road may be laid through said Town on
more suitable land for the purpose both on account of the Hills
and dryness of the Land, and the distance of which from the
College to the Southeastly corner of said Town will not be so
great as where y e road is now laid by more than one mile &
half — That this alteration will save y e Town great expence in
making said road, and as the Committee who laid said road
had not the Benefit of viewing this place, Your petitioners
would Humbly pray your Honours to take this matter into your
wise consideration, and to appoint an Impartial Committee to
look into the aforesaid matter and act thereon as may be most
conducive to the public good —
And your petitioners and in Duty bound shall ever pray
June 3 d 1786
Nath 1 Babbit
Gideon Tiffany
A committee in behalf
of Said Town
HANOVER. 175
[5-47] [Petition for a Grant to make a Canal, etc., 1792. ~]
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of Newhampshire to be convened at Dover June
1792—
The Petition of Ebenezer Bruster Aaron Hutchinson & Rufus
Graves
Humbly sheweth That whereas the rendering Connecticut
river navigable for boats is an object of the greatest Importance
to the Inhabitants of that Country and ingrosis the attention of
all the states thro' which the river passes and grants have actu-
ally been obtained for locking all the falls below the Towns of
Lebanon & Hanover in this State
And whereas the erecting of a Bridge over said river against
one or other of said Towns would also be of great advantage to
said Country and the public in general, and your Petitioners
being disposed to undertake said Business provided they can
meet with sufficient encouragement — Pray your Honors to grant
to them their heirs and assigns forever the exclusive priviledge
of cuting a Cannal and locking all the falls between the south
line of Lebanon and the north Line of Hanover aforesaid and
of erecting a Bridge within the limmits aforesaid Under such
regulations and restrictions as your Honors shall Judge prop-
er —
and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Hanover June I st 1792
Ebenezer Brewster
Aaron Hutchison
Rufus Graves
[In H. of Rep., the foregoing petition was referred to a
committee, who made the following report : — Ed.]
[5-46]
State of New Hampshire
In the House of Representatives June 13 th 1792 —
The Committee on the petition of Ebenizer Brewster and
others reported, That the prayer thereof be so far granted, as
that the petitioners have leave to cut canals and lock all the falls
in Connecticut River between the mouth of Mink brook in
Hanover and the eddy below the lower bar of White River falls
in Lebanon, and likewise the privilege of building a toll bridge
over said River in any place within the limits aforesaid, not to
interfere with private property, or the grant of any ferrv, with-
I76 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
out compensation to the owner ; and that they have leave to
bring in a bill accordingly — Which report having been read and
considered it was voted that the same be received and accept-
ed-
Sent up for Concurrence
Jn° Sam Sherburne Speaker
[They were incorporated by an act passed June 20, 1792.
—Ed.]
[5-48] \_Isaac Rogers ' s Petition for a Ferry, iyg^..~\
To the Honourable The General Court of the state of New
Hampshire to be holden at Amherst the first Wednesday in
June 1794
The Petition of Isaac Rogers of Hanover in the County of
Grafton in s d state ; humbly sheweth, that there is no public
ferry kept over the River Connecticut from Brewster 8 ferry in
Lime so call d to the Colledge ferry in the lower part of s d Han-
over, the distance of About nine miles, that there is About four
miles of s d river opposite to the upper part of s d Hanover, which
remains ungranted ; that your petitioner Owning the land Ad-
joining to s d river within the Aforesaid ungranted part ; and
where a ferry will be most Convenient ; He therefore pray 8
that Your Honours would Grant to him his heirs and assigns
the Exclusive right of keeping a ferry over s d river, from Lime
for three miles down s d river ; and Your petitioner as in duty
bound will ever pray
Hanover May 28 th 1794
Isaac Rogers —
The Subscribers select Men of Hanover are satisfied that the
facts stated in the within petition are true that the s d Ferry will
be A public benifit are desireous the prayer of the within peti-
tion may be granted
Joseph Curtiss ) Select
Samuel Slade j Men
Att a Legal Meeting held March 8 th 1790
Voted that Gideon Smith of Hanover have the Approbation
of the Ferry
True Copy Attest Joel Brown T. Clerk
HAVERHILL. I Jf
This may Certify the Honourable General Court that I Gid-
eon Smith have sold the land Adjoining s d river to the Above
petitioner and humbly pray that the Above Grant be made to
the within Petitioner
Gideon Smith
HAVERHILL.
The township was granted May 18, 1763, to John Hazzen
and 74 others, some of whom were from Haverhill, Mass.,
and the town derived its name from that place. It had pre-
viously borne the name of Lower Cohos, and was a favorite
place with the Indians, who had a fort on the bank of the
river, near where Capt. John Hazzen settled in 1764.
By an act approved June 21, 1815, the town was divided
into two parishes. Samuel Morey of Orford, Jonathan
Merrill of Warren, and Samuel Hutchins of Bath, were
appointed to run the divisional line between the two par-
ishes.
Among its prominent men prior to 1800 was Hon. Moses
Dow, a native of Atkinson, and a graduate of Harvard col-
lege in 1769. He was elected a member of congress by the
legislature of this state in 1784, but declined the honor. He
was a member of the New Hampshire senate in 1784, and
of the council in 1785 and 1786, and again in 1792, and was
a judge of the court in Grafton county at the time of his
death, March 31, 181 1, aged 64.
[5~49] [Petition for a Ferry, iy/2.~\
To his Excellencey John Wentworth Esq r Captain General
Governor and Commander in Cheif in and over the Province
of New Hampshire and vice Admiral of the Same In Coun-
cill—
The Petition of Thomas Johnson of Newbury in the County
of Gloucester & Province of New York, humbly Sheweth that
by Charter, there is but one Ferry, Across Connecticut River
in Haverhill in the County of Rockingham, by Charter allow-
ed to be kept, which by said Charter ought to be kept within
one mile of the Point of the little Ox Bow (so Call'd) as said
H
iy8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
River runs and that said Ferry so allow'd to be kept, hath hith-
erto been, kept, more than four miles above said Point, as said
River runs, and that there hath, for a number of Years before
the making-out said Charter, a Boat been kept and us'd, for the
Conveniency of Travellers, passing said River, at y e Place
where the publick Highway passes s d River from said Haver-
hill to said Newbury near the now Dwelling House of Richard
Chamberlin in said Newbury which place is almost two miles
below s d Point, of the little Ox Bow, where your Petitioner
beggs Leave to Say a Ferry ought Still to be kept for the Con-
veniencey of Travellers, Whereupon your Execellency's Peti-
tioner, humbly prays, that Your Excellency would Grant him,
Liberty to Sett up & keep a Ferry, accross said River, at or
near s d places where said Highway passes, from said Haverhill
to s d Newbury by y e House of s d Chamberlin under usual Reg-
ulations & Restrictions and as in Duty bound Shall ever pray
Ports Novem r 13, 1772.
thorn 3 Johnson
[5-5']
[A plan of a portion of Connecticut river. The ferry
asked for was granted November 11, 1774. — Ed.]
[5~5°] [Extract from Graizt to Asa Porter.']
the Sole right of keeping a Ferry & keeping useing and em-
ploying a Ferry Boat or Boats for the Transporting of Men
Horses Goods Cattle Carriages &c from the Shore of Haverhill
afores d — cross Connecticut river to the opposite Shore of New-
bury & from s d Newbury to the oppose Shore of Haverhill with-
in one Mile on a Strait Line from that Part of HaverHill called
the Point of the little Ox Bow being a Point of medow Land
now in Possesion of Cap 1 John Hazzan To Hold &c
And as a further encouragement to the said Asa Porter in and
about the premises, we Will that none of our loving Subjects do
presume to molest or interrupt the s d Asa Porter in his said Fer-
ry or set up any other Ferry upon or Across the said River Con-
necticut, within One Mile above or below the Ferry of the said
Asa Porter.
The above Two Paragraphs extracted from the Record of the
Grant of Mr. Asa Porter's Ferry across Connect 1 River from
Haverhill to Newbury, and are truly Copied from thence
Attest 1- Theodore Atkinson Sec 7
HAVERHILL. 1 79
[5-51] [Report of the Committee on the matter of Granting
a JFerry to Thomas Johnson.~\
Pursuant to a Vote of Councill appointing us a committee to
consider of the petition of Thorn 8 Johnson for the priveledge of
a Ferry across Connecticut river between the Towns of Haver-
hill and Newbury also the grant made to Asa Porter Esq r of a
Ferry priveledge between said Towns beg Leave to report as
follows. The grant made to Asa Porter Esq r we suppose fixes
the place where said ferry is to be kept at the point of the little
Ox Bow and that the priveledge of one mile above and one mile
below said point is to be measured upon the river agreable to
its general course, but upon viewing the plans exhibited to us
by the Parties we find that the ferry now kept by M r Porter is
between three & four miles upon the river above said point &
the place fixed upon by M r Johnson is near Two miles upon the
river below the aforesaid point, it also appears to us absolutely
necessary for the public utility that two ferries be established
across the River between the aforesaid Towns & nearly in the
places now fixed upon by Mess rs Porter & Johnson as there is
no Spot upon the river within a mile either above or below said
point convenient for keeping a ferry we would also humbly sug-
gest that care should be taken in all such grants that the Taxes
arising therefrom should be paid in this Government
D Peirce
D Rogers
[5-52] [Relative to dead Body fotmd, 1776.^
M r Crocker
The Bearer M r Chamberlain informs me, that the Body of
poor John Presson drowned this afternoon is just now taken up,
and they are in quest of a Coroner to set upon him — I woud
inform you, (if you are not already knowg to it) that you were
appointed by the General Court at Exeter a Coroner for this
County, and in Case you are willing to accept the Office, I am
ready to administer the Oath — that you may do the Duty neces-
sarily required & w ch please to let me know immediately —
Yr hum Serv 4
J Hurd
Haverhill 9 th Aug st 1776
M r Crocker returnd this Billet with an Answer, that he did
not chuse to accept the Office, for he did not like our form of
Govern*
l80 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To M r And w S : Crocker present pr M r Chamberlain
Col Hurd begs leave to recommend M r Simeon Gooding of
Haverhill (in the room of And w S : Crocker) — for a Coroner —
[*5~53] [Enoch Bartlefs Co?7iplai?tt, iy8o.~\
To the Honb le the Council And Representatives of the State of
New Hampshire in General Court Assembled
The Petition Memorial And Address of Enoch Bartlet of
Haverhill Humbly Shews. —
That he Your petitioner has lately Suffered Much injury by a
Sort of Banditti who in Contempt of all laws did at Northum-
berland in the County of Grafton in Said State in September
last without Any colour of right commit a most horid ravage,
by entering Upon his Your petitioners Grist Mill And Saw Mill
in Said Northumberland (lately erected or repaired at a great
expence) And Cut and destroy'd the wheels Shafts &c And took
Away all the Iron Work of Said Mills Mill Stones and other
Gear And a Quantity of Boards and Carried them a Cross Con-
necticut River into the State Called Vermont And improved
them for other Mills — And have Since when demanded refused
pay for the damages done — And that he having Apply'd to
Gentlemen of the law in order to bring his Process Against the
trespassers is informed by them, that Unless Some further pro-
vision is Made by the legislators of the State the good And
wholesome laws of it Cannot be carried into execution — And As
it has ever been esteem'd a great and most valuable part of our
English liberties And Constitution founded on Magna Charta —
That Justice and right Should Not be delay'd or denied to Any
Man — And as the Suppression of laws And good Order in a
State is Attended with Anarchy And the most fatal Conse-
quences — He therefore humbly prays that you As the guardians
of the just rights of the people And as legislators of the State
will make provisions for the due And just Administration of
Justice by law in every part of it —
And your petitioner is humbly of Opinion that if Such fla-
grant Acts of injustice Are conniv'd at And Not prosecuted,
Every ones property in that county will be in danger, And that
if he Shall Again furnish Stones Iron truck &c And repair Said
Mills for the benefit of the Inhabitants he cannot think they will
be Secure Against Such Free Bootery — And your petitioner
also further Says — That he has Suffered much at the town of
Bath in s (1 County for that he could not enforce the Contract
Against his Tenant who has improved his house And land there
HAVERHILL. l8l
for Some Years past — And for that on his Said Tenants leaving
it without Notice, He by his attorney was obliged to let it on
Very disadvantageous terms to procure one to enter immediate-
ly, To prevent one who was going to enter And get Possession
of it without leave
And Further Says that he cannot Suppose that his affairs
(tho not the most trivial) will alone put you Upon Acting on
the affair ; But that a due consideration of the many Instances
of Fraud, Injustice and oppression that prevails in that County
Since the laws were Suppress'd — will influence You to Make
the Necessary Provision Pray'd for And he As in duty bound
Shall ever pray —
Enoch Bartlet
June 22 d 1780 —
[R.2-71] [Abstract from the Petition of George Moor, Sol-
dier, 7783.I
[In a petition, dated Haverhill, June 6, 1783, George Moor
states that he leased a piece of land in Haverhill of Capt.
Joseph White, of Newbury ; that said White left and joined
the enemy in Canada, and thereby his property was confis-
cated by the state. He wants the state to recognize his
claim as lessee, and sell him the land for what it was worth
when he took the lease. He further states, " that upon the
breaking out of the Troubles at Lexington he went down
as a Volunteer and Engaged in the service for Eight Months,
and afterwards engaged with Colo : Bedel and went to Can-
ada and was under the command of Gen 1 Sullivan upon the
Retreat, and have since been in all the different calls for
Men."— Ed.]
[R. 2—72] \_jfohn French, Armorer, iy8o.~\
Haverhill 21 st Nov r 1780 —
This may Certify that John French work d as an armour for
the Troops Raised for the Defence of these frontiers by the state
of New Hampshire three months in the year 1780 —
Benj a Whetcomb
Major Com dt
[John French, of Haverhill, petitioned November 7, 1783,
for pay for said service, and was allowed " three pounds
over and above the pay he received as a soldier." — Ed.]
1 82 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-54] [Moses Dow declines to accept an Election as a
Me?nber of the Congress of the United States. ~\
Haverhill Oct 4 th 1784.
Sir
Having lately received from your Secretary a copy of the
vote of the Gen 1 Court, appointing the Hon'ble Abiel Foster,
Jon a Blanchard & John Langdon Esquires, with myself delegates
to represent this State in the Congress of the United States,
the ensuing year. I take this opportunity to make my sincere
and hearty thanks, to your Excellency & the Court for the hon-
or done me in this appointment.
I feel the most agreeable sensations, when I find, that I pos-
sess so much of the confidence of my fellow-citizens, as leads
them to such an election and as I have always made it my prin-
cipal design, uprightly to endeavor the promotion of the public
good, my ambition is highly gratified, while I thus experience
the public approbation.
I acknowledge the appointment, to be honorable, & very
respectable, and conceive, the tour & employment would be
exceeding pleasant and agreeable — and that all the unhappiness
I should find in the pursuit, would arise from a consciousness
of my inability to render that service to the State, my inclina-
tion would dictate.
As I have had no apprehension, but some two of the three
worthy Gentlemen, at the same time elected, who are experi-
enced, & much better qualified for the purpose, at this impor-
tant and critical juncture, when matters of the last Consequence
are before Congress, which require the greatest wisdom & per-
severance, would have undertaken the representation of the
State, I have intirely neglected every necessary preparation.
The present infirm state of my health, the real conviction of
my inequality to the business of the mission, and many other
circumstances, unnecessary to be mentioned, render it extreme-
ly difficult, or rather impossible for me to engage in a trust so
arduous & interesting ; And I doubt not but the candor of your
Excellency, and of the worthy members of the General Court,
will readily apologize for, and excuse me, while I say that I
cannot conceive it to be my duty, or by any means, see my way
clear, at this time, to undertake an appointment of such weight
& importance
With the highest sentiments of esteem, I have the honor, to
subscribe myself,
your Excellency's
most obedient & most humble Servant
Moses Dow
His Excellency Meshech Weare Esquire President of the
State of New Hampshire.
HAVERHILL. 1 83
[It is difficult in these times to believe that any man
would decline to accept an election as member of the Unit-
ed States Congress, on the plea of a lack of ability to fill
the position. — Ed.]
[5-55] [ Vote of Town relative to Paper Money, iy86.~\
At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Ha-
verhill the Eleventh Day of December 1786, Voted Unani-
mously, that a Paper Currency be Emitted on the following
plan — Viz
That One Hundred Thousand pounds be Emitted, — Twenty
Thousand pounds to be in Suitable bills to defray the Charges
of Government & to Exchange for such publick securities as
may be offered at their current Exchange, which is to be Asser-
tain'd, and to carry no Interest but to be receivable in Taxes &
all demands of Governm* and a tender in all cases equal to
silver and Gold & to be called in by Taxes Annually — The res-
idue to be made in different Bills Expressing their import & to
be Loaned to individuals at five per cent on landed Security of
double the value & to be paid into the Treasury at proper times
which shall carry an Interest of Two & half per cent, & so re-
ceivable in all Demands of Government and a Tender in all
cases as above — with the Interest due on said bills at the time
of Payment —
A true Coppy
Attest Andrew S. Crocker Town
Clerk
[For action of the legislature on the matter, see Vol. XI,
p. 130.— Ed.]
[5-56] [Selectmen's Protest to the grant of a Ferry to
Ezekiel Padd.~\
To the Hon'ble the Senate & the Hon'ble House of Represent-
atives of the State of New Hampshire in General Court to
be convened at Exeter on the fourth Wednesday of Decem-
ber 1788
Humbly shew the Subscribers Selectmen of Haverhill, in
behalf of said Town that they have been honored with the copy
of the petition of Ezekiel Ladd Esq r for the grant of ferry in
this Town & the order of Court thereon & beg leave to object
to granting that privilege to an individual, when very many of
the inhabitants of this town have equal pretensions to it — This
I84 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
town was a frontier during the late war & much exposed to &
harrassed by the enemy — whereby they were obliged to expend
great sums of money, as well as time & labor, for their own
safety as well as for the public good, for a great part of which
they have hitherto laid no claim for reward or compensation —
That the grant of all privileges of ferries in this Town, not
already made, would be considered by the inhabitants as some
compensation for said services & sufferings
Wherefore your petitioners, in behalf & at the direction of
said town pray your Honors that all the privileges & emolu-
ments of ferries across Connecticut river against said town, not
already chartered, may be granted & secured to & for the bene-
fit of the Inhabitants of said Town & their successors forever
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
Charles Johnston "1
Andrew S Crocker I Selectmen
Joseph Hutchins [of Haverhill
Nat a Merill J
[5-57] [Petition for an Act of Incorporation for the Acad-
emy, i/gj.']
To the Honorable the Senate, and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire ; In General Court to be
Convened at Exeter on the Twenty-fifth day of December
l 793—
Humbly shew the Subscribers, that they have lately Erected
and finished a large and Commodious Building for an Accad-
emy In the Southwardly part of the Town of Haverhill, and
have employed a Gentleman of Liberal Education every way
eminently qualified for a Preceptor of an Accademy at their
own Expence ; and about thirty Pupils are already admitted
there for Education, In the Usefull arts and Sciences; and the
prospect is very flattering to be of great Utility to the Publick
and especially to the rising Generation ; and the undertakers
are determined to spare no pains to make it answer every pur-
pose that can accompany such an Institution —
Wherefore they pray your Honors; to grant them an Incor-
poration, to enable them with more propriety and Efficacy to
pursue their Object, and render Service to the Publick —
And your Petitioners as In duty bound shall ever pray —
Dated at Haverhill 18 th Dec 1 " 1793
Charles Johnston Asa Boynton Moody Bedel
Sam 1 Brooks Jonn Page Joseph Bliss
Michael Johnston Israel Swan Moor Russell
Amos Fisk Joshua Young Chrisp B Noyes
HAVERHILL. 1 85
Managers (viz)
Charles Johnston Joseph Bliss John Page
Esq r Samuel Brooks
Moses Dow Esq r
[The petition was granted Jan. 14, 1794. — Ed.]
[5-58] [Subscriptions towards building a Bridge over Con-
7iecticut River, iyg^.~\
Whereas Benjamin Chamberlin of Newbury proposes build-
ing a bridge over Connecticut River betwixt Haverhill & s d New-
bury at or near the place where he & his fathers have kept a
ferry for more than thirty years, that is from the beginning of
the first settlements in said Towns to the present time — which
is upon the nearest — best & oldest road for passing said river
from the State of New Hampshire into the State of Vermont
& to the northerly & north westerly settlements therein & to
Canada — And has petitioned the General Court of the State of
New Hampshire to grant him the privilege of building & tend-
ing a bridge at said place for reasonable toll
And whereas we the subscribers are of opinion that this
is the best & easiest place of any betwixt said Towns to build
a bridge & the place where it is most likely for a bridge to
stand — & best situated to serve the public —
Therefore We are desirous of becoming adventurers & un-
dertakers in promoting a plan so beneficial to the public good
& as we conceive, advantagious to our own interest And do
hereby agree & promise severally to advance & pay towards
building a bridge at the place aforesaid the sums annexed to
our respective names — upon condition that the said Chamber-
lin shall obtain such grant, & of our receiving our several pro-
portions of the profits arising therefrom, agreeably to the sums
by us respectively subscribed — Witness our hands —
Dec r 30 th 1794 —
Moses Dow four hundred dollars
Tho s Johnson three hundred dollars
Ezekiel Ladd 100 dollars
Josiah Little 100 dollars
Nath 1 Chamberlin 100 dollars
Benjamin Chamberlin 100 dollars
John Montgomery 100 dollars
Samuel Ladd — 50 dollars
Stephen Couch — 40 d°
Martin Phelps — 20 d°
1 86 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Pearson — 20 d°
Joseph Lack! — 20 d°
Ezekiel Ladd jun r — 20 d°
N. B. There is one more subscription paper in Newbury
which could not be procured, on account of the river being
impassable at this time — which may contain as large a sum as
this, tho not known —
Copy per Moses Dow
[5 _ 59] \_Asa Porter for a Ferry.~\
Province of New Hampshire —
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Governor & Com 41
in Chief of s d Province in Council —
The Petition of Asa Porter of Haverhill in the County of
Rockingham Esq r humbly sheweth —
That in behalf of the Towns of Haverhill & Newbury on
Connecticut River He would represent the Necessity of an es-
tablish d Ferry over s d River to be kept at a convenient Place
near the Center of the afors d Towns to accommodate the In-
habitants and many Others that occasionally travel that way,
which He the s d Porter would willingly undertake to do having
a large Boat well suited to the Purpose, Therefore prays your
Excellency would be pleas d to favour Him with a Grant of
such a Ferry to be established at certain Rates & with a Privi-
lege including s d River within the Compass of five Miles from
the Place where s d Ferry shall be kept, or otherwise under such
Limits & Directions as to your Excellency may seem meet —
And your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray —
Asa Porter
[5-60] \_yohn Hurd relative to Roads, Z774.']
Province of New Hampshire
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq 1 " Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief — The Honble His Majes-
ty's Council, and The Honble House of Representatives in
in General Assembly convened —
The Memorial of John Hurd of Haverhill in the County of
Grafton Esq r humbly Sheweth — That the late Act of the Gen-
eral Assembly made for the purpose of opening a Road thro*
the new settling Towns Westward, to Haverhill, or Coho'os,
HAVERHILL. 1 87
on Connecticut River, being expired — but a considerable part
of the said Road remaining yet unfinish'd, and that thro' the
most difficult & mountainous Tracts of the Country to the great
Detriment & Discouragement of the New Settlers ; as the
Transportation of all Their necessary Stores thro' this Road in
its present Situation is not only very expensive but dangerous
for Man & Beast, being miry, rooty, rocky, & narrow with bad
pitches in many places — And whenever it may be necessary for
the Honble Judges of the Superior Court to attend their Busi-
ness at Haverhill, unless something is speedily done upon the
Road, will render their Journey very tedious & hazardous —
But as the Expence of immediately making the said Road good,
& safely passable, will be a peculiar Hardship on those partic-
ular Towns lying on the Highth of Land in their now infant
State, without the public Aid, tho' if once completed would be
greatly advantageous not only to the Upper Settlements, but to
this lower part of the province to w ch all their spare produce
may then with Ease be conveyed — Your Memorialist humbly
prays in behalf of all the Settlers on that part of Connecticut
River, & the Towns adjacent — Your Excellency & Honors
woud take this Matter into Consideration — that the aforesaid
Act may be revivd with the addition of a New Committee to
prosecute the Business, and such Alteration or Amendment &
such public Assistance as to your Wisdom may seem meet.
And Your Memorialist as in Duty bound will ever pray &c. &c.
John Hurd
Portsmouth 26 th May 1774 —
[5-62] [Representation of Services do?ie by the Town during
the War, and its Present Condition, iyg8.~\
To the Hon'ble Senate & Hon'ble House of Representatives in
General Court now convened at Concord
Humbly shew the Subscribers
That in the year 1776, James Bayley, Ephraim Wesson,
Charles Johnston, Joseph Hutchins Joshua Howard & Simeon
Goodwin, were appointed a Committee of safety for the Town
of Haverhill, — In which year, this western frontier, was much
exposed to & in eminent danger of being ravaged, by the ene-
mies from Canada — Insomuch that many of the inhabitants of
this town removed, to more safe & central parts of the State —
Those that stood by the shipp spent a great part of their time,
& considerable part of their property in building forts, that is
155 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
four large ones in this town, supporting & paying guards, &
scouting parties, in order to keep up a frontier at this place —
That we were very poorly supplied with arms & many poor
persons, tho perhaps the best soldiers, were intirely destitute —
We considered the cause as common to the whole Country, &
greatly interesting to all, & were zealous to do everything in
our power to contribute to the salvation of the Community —
Thus circumstanced, and disposed, we in our said capacity,
employed Major Jonathan Hale, then a reputable citizen of said
Haverhill, & in behalf of said Town — to make a tour to Exe-
ter, where the Convention or supreme Government of the State
or Colony were then in Session, and make application for pro-
tection or means, to help us to defend ourselves, & contribute
our mite in holding this frontier & aid in the protection of the
State — Maj r Hale failed in procuring the arms of the State as
we wished & expected — Yet the government, advanced to him
two hundred pounds of the then paper money, out of the treas-
ury, to procure arms for the common defence
Accordingly Major Hale after receiving said money traversed
the sea coasts as far as Salem, & round the adjacent parts of the
Country — & purchased up at very exorbitant prices, tho doubt-
less to the best advantage that the time & circumstances would
admit, Guns & parts of Guns — such as, barrels, locks & stocks,
in detached parts — & brought to Haverhill & delivered them to
said Committee — & said Committee, gave said Hale their obli-
gation for said Guns &c & for his cost in going to Exeter — get-
ting said money, purchasing said Arms & transporting them
here.
The Committee, disposed of said Guns, to poor persons who
were not able to pay for them, but yet perhaps the best sol-
diers, for no more than the first costs paid by said Hale, & took
their obligations — Many of which obligations if ever paid, were
not paid till money had depreciated, to ten, twenty & perhaps
forty for one —
That two of said Committee viz Bayley & Wesson are
removed, at a distance out of this State & the burden may fall
upon the residue, the obligation being out lawed in Vermont
Your petitioners would further suggest, that they are inform-
ed, that sundry towns, who were favoured with money out of
the treasury about the same time have been considerably fav-
oured, by the State in the settlements thereof —
That they have applied to & petitioned the States Committee
for abatements in a settlement thereof but said Committee, not
feeling themselves authorz d for that purpose recommended, pe-
titioning this honourable body — We therefore, pray this Hon'-
ble Court to take our case under their candid consideration &
grant us such abatement, or deductions, in our settlement with
HENNIKER. 1 89
said Hale or his settlement with the State, which will dispose
him to settle with us in the same proportion, as reason &
justice under our peculiar situation & circumstances, in your
Honors wisdom, prudence & benevolence may seem reasonable
& just —
And your petitioners as in duty bound pray &c
Haverhill
Nov r 22 d 1798 Charles Johnston
Joseph Hutchins
Simeon Goodwin
Joshua Howard
[5-63]
[This document is a plan of Connecticut river, and the
ferries of Johnson and Porter. — Ed.]
HENNIKER.
This township was granted by the government of Massa-
chusetts in December, 1735, but the grant was not located
and confirmed until 1737. It was called No. 6 in the line
of towns, and sometimes New Marlborough, many of the
grantees living in Marlborough, Mass.
On a settlement of the state boundaries in 1741, the
township proving to be in New Hampshire, and within the
limits of the Masonian Proprietors' Purchase, was granted
by them July 16, 1752, to Andrew Todd and others, mostly
Londonderry men. It was incorporated November 9, 1768,
and named by Governor Wentworth in honor of John Hen-
niker, of London, Eng.
The township was granted six miles square, and I believe
no territory has been severed from it or added to it since.
[5-65] [Petition of the Inhabitants to have the Town incor-
porated, 1768. ,]
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Captain General Gov-
ernour and Commander in chief, in and over his Majesty's
Province of New-Hampshire, in New-England; And To
his Majesty's Council in the Province aforesaid —
190 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Place called Num-
ber Six of the Line of Towns ; or New Marlborough, in the
Province aforesaid, humbly sheweth,
That whereas your humble Petitioners, whose Names are
hereunto subscribed, find our selves under great Inconvenien-
cies & Difficulties for want of the Powers and Privileges which
incorporate Towns in this Province enjoy : And We, your
humble Petitioners humbly pray your Excellency & your Hon-
ours to take our Case into your wise & compassionate Consid-
eration ; and if you think it proper & necessary, you would in-
corporate into a Town, indued with the Powers & Privileges of
other Towns in the Province, that Tract of Land, which is the
sixth in Number of the Line of Towns which was first laid out
by Order of the General Court of the Province of the Massachu-
setts-Bay, & granted to some of the Inhabitants of Marlborough
in said Province : and was since granted by the Masonian Pro-
prietors to some of the Inhabitants of Londonderry, in this
Province of New-Hampshire, (Said Tract of Land lies between
Hopkinton & Hillsborough,) We your humble Petitioners hum-
bly pray that your Excellency & your Honours would incor-
porate the said Tract of Land, with the Inhabitants, present &
future, their Polls & Estates, into a Town, included within the
same Bounds and Limits wherein it was included when it was
first granted by the General Court of the Massachusetts Prov-
ince : and when it was granted by the Masonian Proprietors
(not infringing, or hurting any private Property) : And that
your Excellency, & your Honours will be pleased to appoint, &
impower, M r Eliakim How, M r Ebenezer Hawthorn, and m r
Jonas Bowman ; (now Inhabitants of said Tract of Land ;) or
any others whom your Excellency & your Honours shall think
proper, as a Committee to call the first Meeting of the Free-
holders, & Inhabitants in said Town.
For which Goodness, your humble Petitioners, for your Ex-
cellency & your Honours, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray —
Dated at N° 6, or New-Marlborough, aforesaid, the fourteenth
Day of March, 176S.
William Eastman Ezekiel Stone Ebenezer Hawthorn
Jephthah Tyler David Willson Silas Barns
Jacob Whitcomb Adonjiah Tyler Josiah Ward
Hezekiah Newton Eliakim How James Joslin
Amos Goold Jonas Bowman William Powers
Thomas Pope David Pope Timothy Ross
Jesse Ross William Presbury Joshua Tyler
William Peters David m c Killips John Johnson
Ezekiel Smith Joseph Williams
HENNIKER. I9I
[In answer to the foregoing petition the town was incor-
porated by the governor and council November 9, 1768, and
named Henniker by the governor. — Ed.]
[R. 2-73] \_Return of Men raised for the Army, iyy6.']
Henniker Sep* y c 20 : 1 776
Col Stickney
S r In obedience to your orders I have mustered my Com-
pany and Raised five men for this Expedition their Names are
as follows
Samuel Smith Nahum Newton Joshua Whitney
Joseph Patterson Isaac Patterson
this from your obedient Servant
Aaron Adams Capt
[R. 2-74]
To Col Thomas Stickney
S r the Following is a list of men Raised by the Town of Hen-
nicar for three years agreeable to your order
Jesse Campbel Hennicar^
Daniel Squire Hennicar > Cap* Cloys Company
James Peters d° J
Joseph Marsh Hennicar Cap* Frys Company
Benj Adrews Hillsborough Cap* Adams Company
Jonas Bowman Cap*
[R- 2-75]
A True State of the Seventh Company and Thirteenth Rig*
of Foot Commanded By Cap* Jonas Bowman
Training Band No 75
Laram Men No 25 totel 100
Henniker March 19 th 1777.
192
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-76] \_Roll of Capt. Aaron Adams's Company, i7/6.~\
A list of Cap* Adams's train g Soldiers
Sarg 4 Benj a Clark
Sarg* Jon a Basford
Sarg* Phinehas Ward
Sarg 1 Joseph Paterson
Fifer Joseph Williams
Jabez Alexander
Eliphalet Colbey
Solomon Childs
Jonas Alexander
William Chambers
William Clark
James Durston
Samuel Frisel
Noah Gile
Otis How
Thomas Howlet
James Joslin
John M c Duffee
Hezekiah Newton
Moses Powell
Jonathan Ross
Ezekiel Smith
Ezekiel Stone
Charles Whitcomb
Alexander Whitney
Jon a Eastman
Isaac Gates
Joshua Heath
William Heath
Sargent Heath
Joseph Lewis
Nathaniel Merril
Nahum Newton
Isaac Paterson
Lemuel Ross
Moses Smith
Benoni Tucker
Ruben Whitcomb
Samuel Wadsworth
Corp 1 Joshua Heath
Corp 1 Samuel Steel
Corp 1 Tho 8 Townsend
Corp 1 James Stone
Drum 1- Josiah Paterson
Abiather Bowman
Benj a Currier
Robert Campbel
Aaron Eastman
Timothy Gibson
Moses Huse
John Harthorn
Joshua Kimball
Ephraim Morrel
Samuel Morrison
David Pope
Jesse Ross
Daniel Rice
Samuel Smith
Jacob Whitcomb
Josiah Whitridge
we have 10 men gone in the Army
mager Chandler S r , in obedience to your orders I have
warn'd my Company to Apear on ye 21 Instant to view the Cit-
uation of the Company, but the more part did not Apear but
Acording to the Best Acompt that I can give Above half have
No arms
Aaron Adams Cap 1
Henniker May the 21 st 1776
A Larm list for said Henniker
Ecclesiastical Clark Jacob Rice
Cap* Eliakim How
Ens n William Heath
Esquire Joseph Kimball
Thomas Stone Timothy Ross
John Putney Thomas Pope
Alexander Paterson Stephen Spaldwin
Uriah Amesden Francis Withington
Leut Jonas Bowman
Cap* Josiah Ward
Coroner Samuel Kimball
James Peters
Elijah Rice
John Eastman
Dea Eben r Harthan
HENNIKER. I93
[R. 2-77] {^Joseph Patterson, wounded Soldier.^
In the House of Representatives Nov r 13 th 1778.
The Committee on the Petitions &c of wounded soldiers &c
reported their opinion that Joseph Paterson, a soldier in Cap*
Emery's Company in Col Baldwin's Regiment who was wound-
ed at White plains and lost sundry articles to the amount of five
pounds fourteen shillings be allowed & paid the said sum of five
pounds fourteen shillings, which is submitted —
signed Nich 1 Gilman for the committee
[The said amount was allowed and paid. It has been
handed down in the family that Joseph Patterson was on
guard at the time of attack by the British troops at White
Plains, October 28, 1776. He fired an alarm, and was im-
mediately shot, the ball entering back of the ear, and pass-
ing out through the cheek. He fell, and was for some time
unconscious, but reviving he found the enemy passing over
him. Watching his opportunity, he rolled under a log, and re-
mained apparently dead till all was quiet. He then succeed-
ed in getting to a house, in an exhausted condition, found the
woman friendly to the cause of the colonies, and was cared
for by her for some weeks. When sufficiently recovered, he
gave the woman all the money he had, and started on foot
for New Hampshire. He had received an overcoat from
home just before the battle, and attempted to take that with
him ; but one day, while attempting to ford a rapid stream,
the coat became saturated with water, and being too weak
to stem the current with it on, he was obliged to take it off
and let it drift. He reached home, and lived to tell the tale
to his grandchildren, to one of whom, Hon. James W. Pat-
terson, I am indebted for the foregoing. — Ed.]
[R. 2-78] \_Abraham Kimball, wounded Soldier.~\
[In H. of Rep., November 14, 1778, Abraham Kimball,
"a soldier in Cap* Baileys Company Col° Stickney's Regi-
ment & General Starks Brigade wounded in the Battle of
Bennington 16th of August 1777" was allowed .£27, 14, 6
for his doctor's bills, nursing, etc. It was also voted that
he was entitled to half pay for two years, from September
18, 1777. Council concurred. — Ed.]
J 5
194
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-79]
[Soldier's Order, 1779. ~\
Henniker Sept r 13 th 1784
M r Gilman S r Be Pleased to Pay to Robert Wallace or
Bearer all My Wages Travel Money Deficiency in Cloathing,
and all that is due to me for my Serving in the Continental
Army one year in Co 11 Reeds Reg 1 in Cap 1 Rowels Company
which time Began July 1779 and this Shall Be your Discharge :
and you will Much [oblige]
Witness Present your Humble Serv*
Wi m Wallace Simeon pope
William Partrick
[5-66] \_Petition for the Appointment of a Committee to lo-
cate a Meeti?ig- House, 1786.^
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representative of the
State of newhampshire now Seting at Exeter in Said State —
we the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Henniker
Humbly Sheweth whereas we are about Building a Meeting
house in Said Town and are So unhappy as not to agree upon
the Spot where to Set Said house although we have had Two
Commitee to Perfix the Place for Said house and they reported
to Two Different Places and the Distance Between the Two
Spots is about one hundred and forty rods where four we Pray
your honnours to appoint a Disinterested Commetee from the
Neighbouring Towns Consisting of three men to View the Sit-
uation of the Place and hear the Pleas and Determin the Spot
where Said house Shall Be Set and we your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound
Henniker September y 11 th 1786
Jonas Bowman
James Wallace
Joshua Heath
Nathan Putney
Michael Archer
Thomas poop
David M c Killips
William Sargent
Joseph Chadwick
Francis Withington
Joshua Wright
John Campbel
Jesse Campbell
Thomas willson
Johnthing Connor
David poop
Isaac Putney
Stephen Spelgren
Samuel Estman
Oliver Noyes
David Clough
John Chadwick
Elias Withington
Samuel Mori son
David Morrell
Benjamin Currier
William Wallace
Abiathar Bowman
John Smith
John Putney
Bengben Clogh
Joseph Lewis
John Withington
Samuel Barr
David Chadwick
Si mi on Pope
William Mori son
Thomas Stuart
Benjamin Hoyt
HILL.
195
John Campbell Jun r William Patrick
Thos Townsend
George Hoyt
Moses Hoyt
Thomas Howlett
Samuel Dunalls
Joseph ward
Semieon Simonds
John Smith Jun
Phinehas ward
Timothy Ross
Josiah ward
Alexander parker
Nahum Nuton
Benjamin Clark
J os Marsh
Oliver Clough
Jonathan Ross
Jesse Ward
Mather withington
[In H. of Rep., September 13, 1786, a committee was
appointed, consisting of the following men : Major Isaac
Chandler of Hopkinton, Ninian Aiken, Esq., of Deering,
and Samuel Caldwell of Weare. Their report has not been
found. — Ed.]
HILL.
The township was granted by the Masonian Proprietors,
September 14, 1753, to eighty-seven proprietors, mostly
Chester men, and went by the name of New Chester until
January 14, 1837. ^ n J 768, settlements were made by Capt.
Cutting Favour and Carr Huse. The latter was town-clerk
for thirty-three years, and held other offices. Several other
families from Chester settled the same year.
The town was incorporated November 20, 1778, in answer
to a petition from the inhabitants, and named New Chester
at their request.
The town being about nineteen miles long, and in one
place not more than one mile wide, made it very inconven-
ient, and it was divided February 12, 1788, the north part
being incorporated into the town of Bridgewater.
In answer to a petition from the selectmen, an act was
passed by the legislature, June 1 1, 1808, appointing William
Webster, Bradstreet Moody, and Enoch Colby " to deter-
mine the jurisdictional lines between the Towns of New
Chester, Alexandria, and Danbury," and report to the legis-
lature.
By an act approved June 24, 18 19, all that part of the
town "which lies northerly of Smith's river" was, with a
portion of Bridgewater, incorporated into a town by the
name of Bristol.
I96 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
December 21, 1820, the town was enlarged by the annex-
ation of a portion of Alexandria ; and by an act approved
December 21, 1832, a tract of land was severed from New
Chester, and annexed to Wilmot.
The name of the town was changed, January 14, 1837, to
Hill, in honor of the Hon. Isaac Hill, who was at that time
governor of the state.
The town lost another portion of territory June 26, 1858,
when certain lots of land were severed, and annexed to Dan-
bury.
The town was in Grafton county until July 1, 1868, at
which time it was annexed to the county of Merrimack.
[5-67] [Petition to be Incorjboi'ated into two Towns, iyy6.~\
To The Honourable Council and House of Representatives of
The Colony of Newhampshire
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of
New Chester Wee the Inhabitants of S d N. Chester Do Labour
under many Grievances and disadvantages for want of an In
Corporation whereby wee might have officers Endowed with
Power and Authority as other Towns in this Colony Do En-
joy We therefore Humbly Pray your Honours to Grant us a
Charter of In Corporation — Investing us with the Powers Priv-
iledges and Authorities as other Towns within this Colony
have it is the Desire of your Humble Petitioners that the S d
Township may Be In Corporated into two Distinct Towns if
your Honours Please, By Reason of the Township Being Very
Long, which will abundantly Best Accomodate the Inhabitants
of S d Town Ship, it is Desired that S d Towns may Be Divided
at New Found River So Called Allowing the upper Town to
InClude the priviledges for mills upon S d River within the
Limits of S d Town, and your Humble Petitioners as in Duty
Bound Shall Ever Pray
N. Chest' Decemb r 24 th 1776
Jonathan Crawford Robert Crawford Benj M c Allester
Josah heath Nason Cass Rob 1 Forsith
Thos Crawford Jun r John Mitchell Beniemin Emery
John Clark gideon Sleeper Carr Huse
Cutting favour Reuben Wells David Emerson
Jonathan Ingalls John Smith Joshua Tolford
Joseph Sanborn Nathaniel Sanborn Tilton Bennet
Jacob wells J°hn Bussell
HILL.
197
[5-68] [Arms and Ammunition asked for, iyy6.~\
New Chester June y e 29 th 1776
To the Honourable Colony Committe
We the Subscribers being A Majority of the Select Men and
Comittee of Safety for the Township of New Chester being
willing to Defend ourselves and fellow Country men to the
Utmost of our Power — But finding our Selves Destitute in A
Gret Measure of Arms and Amunition Humbly beg You
would use your Interest to procure About 56°" of Powder and
H2 lbs of Lead & about 150 Flints and Fifteen Guns which we
Bind our Selves to the Honest payment of as Witness our
hands
Abner fellows
Joshua Tolford for
Thos. Crawford y Committee
Jonathan Ingalls
Cutting favour
Ebene 1 " Ingalls ~\ Select Men
Beniamin Emons > For
Carr Huse \ New Chester
[5-69]
[Petition to be Incorporated, ifj8.~\
To the General Court of the State of Newhampshire —
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of
New Chester. Wee the Inhabitants of S d Township Do La-
bour under Many Grievances and Disadvantages for Want of
an Incorporation whereby wee might have officers indowed
with Power and authority and that wee might Lay out our
highways So that wee Might make and Repair them So that
travilers might Safely travel, or pass through the Town Ship
Saifly for want of which wee are Sensible Some of your Hon-
ours are Sensible of and many more Difficulties which wee
Labour under, we therefore Humbly Pray your Honours to
Grant us a Charter of Incorporation Investing us with the
Powers Priviledges and authorities as other Towns within this
State Do Injoy, and your Humble Petitioners as in Duety Bound
Shall Ever Pray
New Chester October 15 th 1778
It is Desir d that the Town May Be Incorporated By the name
of New Chester
Carr Huse
Cutting favour
Jacob wells
Abner fellows
Tilton Bennet
John Emery
I98 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Chase fuller Beniamin Emons Eben r Ingalls
Jonathan Crawford Simeon Cross Jesiah heath
thomas Lock Samuel worthen Jonathan Ingalls
moses Worthan Theophilus Sanborn Peter Sleeper
Gideon Sleeper John Cleaveland John Kidder
John Bussell Nathaniel Sanborn
[In answer to the foregoing, the town was incorporated
by the legislature Nov. 20, 1778. — Ed.]
[R. 2-80] [ Certificate of Soldiers exempt from Poll-Tax.']
Whereas wee have Received a Vote of the Congress which
hath excused all non Commissioned officers and Soldiers who
served in the Continental Army and shall enlist there for the
year Coming from paying any poll Tax, and an account being
exhibited under oath by the Select men of the number of such
Soldiers in their Respective Towns and the amount of their
poll Tax to the Colony Treasurer, in obedience thereto we have
Return d their names and the amount of their poll Tax.
£. s. d. q.
Nathaniel Bartlett 0-2-4-3
John Crawford 0—2-4-3
Joseph Davis 0-2-4-3
Totals 0-7-2-1
Carr Huse \ Select men
Rob* forsith j for N. Chester
[R. 2-81] [The Deposition of Capt. Edward Everett.]
I Edward Everett of Rumney in the County of Grafton and
State of Newhampshire Gentleman Testifyeth and saith that
Some Time in the Fall of the year 1776 that I heard David
Emerson of New Chester agree with a man at Mount Independ-
ent for to serve in the Continental Servis during the war for
twenty dollars and also Saw the man Sign a Receipt and gave
to David Emerson which Receipt I witnessed with my own
hand but as it has been some time since I have forgot the Mans
name but should know the Receipt if I could See it & further
saith not Edward Everett
[Sworn to Oct. 13, 1781, before Carr Huse. — Ed.]
HILL. 199
[5-70] \_David Emerson recommended for Coroner, iy82.~\
To the Honourable General Assembly of the State of New-
hampshire now Setting at Concord in Said State —
The Humble Petition of Us whose names are under written
think it very necessary that there Should Be a Coroner in the
Town of New Chester as the Town is almost twenty miles in
Length as the Road Goes through the Town and as there has
Been two men found dead within said town within Six years
and no Coroner within twenty five miles of them wee Recom-
mend to your Honours David Emerson Esq 1 * of New Chester
to Be a Suitable Man as he has been a Coroner Some years
agoe wee pray your honours would Commission him therefor
and your Petitioners as in Duety Bound Shall Ever Pray.
New Chester September 10 th 1782
Eph m webster Nathaniel Sanborn j h v q k
Peter Sleeper Sherburne Tilton ** * k
John Cleaveland Jonath Ingals Gideon Sleeper
Eben er Ingalls thomas Lock Jonath Ingals Juner
David Stiles Emery Josiah Heath John Kidder
Jacob pesLee John heath Joseph Emons
Chase fuller Beniamin Emery Willam Powell
John Sleeper Amos Steven oliver smith Blake
thomas Rowell tilton Benet Jacob wells
John Straw William Benet
[5-71] \_Return of Number of Ratable Rolls, 1783."]
State of New Hampshire
New Chester December 12 th 1783
A Return of the Number of Male Polls from Twenty one
years of Age & upwards paying for themselves within the Town
of New Chester, No 66
Carr Huse ) Select Men
Peter Sleeper J For N. Chester
Grafton ss Alexandria Dec r 12 th 1783
Then the above Named Carr Huse Esq r and Peter Sleeper
Select Men of New Chester Made Oath to the Truth of the
above Return By them Sign d Before me —
Joshua Tolford Jus* Peace
200 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5~7 2 ] [Deposition of foseph E?nmons, 1781.']
I Joseph Emmons of Alexandria in the County of Grafton
and State of New Hampshire, yeoman Testifyeth and Saith
that sometime in the fall of the year 1776 soon after the orders
came out at mount Independent for men to Inlist during the
war I heard Joshua wilson say that he would Inlist and do a
Turn for David Emerson of New Chester during the war for
twenty dollars & the s d Emerson agreed with the s d wilson at
mount Independent & the s d Emerson had a Receipt which
he shew me that he said the s d wilson gave him soon afterwards
and further saith not
alexandria October 15 th 1781.
Sworn to before
Joseph Emons
Carr Huse Just Peace.
[5-73] [Petition for Authority to Tax Non- Residents, i?8j.']
To His Excellency the President, and to the Honourable the
Senate & House of Representatives in General Assembly
Conven d at Concord Oct r 1785
Wee the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of New Ches-
ter Being Desireous of Promoteing the Publick Good and the
Settlement of the western part of the State which at Present is
a great part of it Uncultivated and as it is highly Necessary that
good Roads Should Be Made and kept in Repair in order that
People might pass and Repass From one part of the State to
the other with as Little Trouble and Difficulty as possible, and
the Town of New Chester is a very Long Town it is Between
nineteen & twenty miles in Length as the Road goes Besides a
very Bad Mountain which Must be Cros d and wee have Several
Long Bridges Some of which wee have Been obliged to Build
twice in a year By reason of Freshets, in Short wee have up-
wards of Fifty Miles of Roads already in the town to maintain,
& But Eighty Six polls in the town which makes it Such a Bur-
den to us that wee are not able to Make our Roads Good with-
out Some help therefore wee pray your Excellency and Hon-
ours to grant the Town the Liberty to Tax the Lands of the
Nonresidents Lying in the Town to the highways in Such a
way and Manner as your Excellency & Honours in your wis-
dom Shall think Best, and your Petitioners as in Duety Bound
will Ever Pray
New Chester Septemb r 24 th 17S5
HILL.
201
Benj n Boardman
Joseph marshall
Peter heath
Simeon Cross
Joseph sanborn
Joseph Hoyt
Winsor Goolden
Michael Mosher
Case fuller
John Sleeper
Carr Huse
Tilton Bennet
Josiah heath
John Bussell
Tho s Crawford
Jonathan Crawford
Peter sleeper
Elias Bordman
Seth Spencer
David Craig
Cutting favour
David plum
william murray
John Cleaveland
Thomas Lock
Jacob Peaslee
John tilton
David Emerson
Eph m webster
Jacob wells
Reuben wells
John Smith
Abner fellows
Sherburn Sanborn
John Mitchel
Josiah Brown Jr
Alexander Craig
Jonathan Merrill
Nathan Colby
Jacob Gurdy
John Cleaveland Jun r
Daniel Heath
Shurburn Tilton
John
willom Benet
Nathaniel Sanborn
Thomas Rowell
thomas Wells
Nason Cass
Moses Sleeper
Theophilus Sanborn
[5-74] \_Petition for a Division of the Town, iy8y.~\
State of New-Hampshire
To the Honourable Sennate and House of Representatives of
said State to be convened at Charlestown on the Second
Wednesday of September AD. 1787 —
The Petition of the inhabitants of New Chester in said State
Humbly Sheweth, Wee your Petitioners Labouring under many
Difficulties and Disadvantages in our present Circumstances by
Reason of the Town Being Exceeding Long and in one place
but a very little more than one mile wide, which makes it very
Difficult for the Major part of the people to attend Publick
Worship when wee have preaching in the Town, and like wise
to Attend Town Meetings, as it is Commonly bad — traviling
when wee have our Annual Meetings, the Town is more than
Nineteen miles in Length. Wee your Humble Petitioners
Earnestly Request that your Excellency and Honours would
Divide the Town of New Chester into two Towns, and that it
may be Divided at Newfound River So Called (Vz) Beginning
at the mouth of Newfound River and running up said river
untill it comes to Newfound pond, then running on the easterly
Shore of said pond untill it comes to the Town line between
New Chester and Plymouth, and your petitioners as in Duty
Bound will ever Pray
New Chester August 23 th 1787
202
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Carr Huse
Reuben Wells
John Bussell
Nathan Colby
Peter heath
Jonathan Ingalls Jun
Elias Boardman
Jona th Ingals
Joseph marshall
Joseph Emons
Moses Fellows
Simeon Cross
Daniel Heath
James heath
Jonathan heath
David powell
Alexander Craige
Nathaniel Sanborn
Eph m webster
Cutting favour
Michael Mosher
Thomas Huse
John fellows
Jonathan Holt
Josiah Brown
Jonathan Carlton
Ephraim Clark
John Mitchel Junr
Ziba Tow r nsend
Chase Fullar
John Ladd
Samuel Drew
David Craig
Rob 1 Craige
David Emerson
Thomas Rowell
Joseph Jonson
Thomas Lock
Samuel worthen
Benj a Boardman
John Mitchel
Jacob Fellows
Seth Spencer
Isaac Senter
Jonathan Crawford
Beniamin Emons
William Powell
Josiah heath
John heath
James Craige
[An act was passed Feb. 12, 1788, 1
north part into a town named Bridgewater, am a
Thomas Crawford to call the first meeting. — Ed.]
incorporating the
and authorizing
[5-75] [Petition for Authority to tax Non- Residents. ~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
convened at Portsmouth the Fourth Wednesday of Decem-
ber AD 1789.
The Petition of the inhabitants of the Town Ships of New
Chester and Bridgwater in said State Humbly Sheweth that
your Petitioners have been and Still are at great Cost to clear
and Maintain Highways in Said Town Ships and by Reason
of great Freshits have been obliged to alter Clear and Make
new Roads in Many places and have built several large
Bridges which are costly to Maintain which Makes the burden
heavy upon us as our number of Rateable polls is but Small,
therefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Honours
would grant that all the lands in said Town Ships may be taxed
one penny upon an Acre Public lots Excepted for three years
next Ensuing for the purpose of Clearing and Repairing high
ways in Said Town Ships and your Petitioners as in Duety
Bound will Ever pray.
New Chester December 16 th 1789
HILLSBOROUGH. 203
Theophilus Sanborn Reuben Wells Michael Mosher
Jonathan Carlton Thomas Crawford
Select Men For and in Behalf of Said Towns.
[The authority asked for was granted Jan. 14, 1790. — Ed.]
HILLSBOROUGH.
The township was granted by the government of Massa-
chusetts previous to the settlement of the province bound-
aries in 1 741, and settlements were made by James Mc-
Calley, Samuel Gibson, and others, under this grant, but
were broken up and deserted through fear of Indians.
A settlement of the province boundaries decided the
land to be in New Hampshire, and being within the limits
of the Masonian Proprietors' Purchase, it was granted by
them to Col. John Hill, of Boston, and derives its name
from him. Hill was one of the proprietors under the Massa-
chusetts grant. The town was incorporated by the gov-
ernor and council Nov. 14, 1772, to contain about six miles
square of territory, and none has been added or severed
since that I am aware of. Petition for incorporation may
be found in Vol. IX, p. 380.
Hon. Franklin Pierce, president of the United States
from 1852 to 1856, was a native of this town, where he was
born Nov. 23, 1804. He graduated at Bowdoin college,
1824, was a member of Congress two terms, from 1833 to
1837, when he was elected to the United State senate.
[Hillsborough Soldiers in Rhode Island Expedition, 1778*]
[Revolutionary Papers, p. 373. — Ed.]
Hillsborough Agust 8 1778
By orders Esued from the Commitey of Safety of this State
This May Sartify that we the Select men of Hillsborough have
Dron out of Archrball Tagart hand Constabel for the year 1777
Eightty Pounds Lawfull money which we have Paid to the
204 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Volintears which Tornd out of this Town for the Experdishon
to Proverdance or Rodisland
Ten Pounds to John Graham 10,0,0,
Ten Pounds to Archibel Tagart 10,0,0,
Ten Pounds to Will m Pope 10,0,0,
Ten Pounds to William Gammell, 10,0,0,
Ten Pounds to Alexinder m c Clintock 10,0,0,
Ten Pounds to Daniel Gibson 10,0,0,
Ten Pounds to Samuel Preston 1 0,0,0,
Ten Pounds to Solomon Andrews 10,0,0,
80,0,0,
Atest Tim Bradford 1 c ,
Samuel Bradford j Select men
[R. 2-82] A List of Laram Men in Hills 11 ,
the R d Jonathan Barns Cap 1 Sam 1 Bradford
Cap* Joseph Symonds Leu* Daniel M c Neal
Lieu* Sam 1 Bradford En 8 Timothy Bradford
Decon John Meed M r Nathaniel Coledge
M r Timothy Wilkins M r William Tagart
M r Andrew bixbe M r Joshua Estey
M r william Jones M r Thomas Murdough
M r George Booth M r Joseph Clark
M r Will" 1 Hutcheson
Mens names Belonging to the training Band in the town of
Hillsborough including under officers
alexanderMClintock John MClintock Jedediah prston
Jonathan Durant John Gibson Benjman Lovjoy
Daniel Gibson Lot Jenison william Booth
William Love Jonathan sargent Joseph Gagart
Samuel Merdough william Symonds
Nathaniel Howard Benjman Ruff
thomas Murdough James Gibson
Jun r Nehemiah wilkins
abel wilkins ^" dre / w Bixbe >'\ these five newly
Jonathan Graham Elms Cheney )■ .^ the ^
nathan 1 aylor ) r
Honored S r among those of the above named we have about
twenty Guns and sum of them not fit to go into the war, the
best of our Guns are gone in the war either sold or our men
HILLSBOROUGH. 205
with them. I should have sent your Honner a List before this
time, but could not without sending on purpose
S r I am your Hon most Hum 1 Ser
June the 3 d 1776 Isaac Andrews
To Honered Col n Stickney Living in Concord
[R. 2-83] \_Return of a Soldier, 1779.]
Hillsborough July 14 th 1779
Persuant to orders Rece d from your Hon. I have herewith
ordered William Hutcheson to appear at Concord in order for
passing muster — Beg the favor he may Return to Hillsb h a few
days before he marches for Rhodisland — These from your
Humb 1 Se r Isaac Andrews Cap*
To The Hon 1 Tho 8 Stickney Coll. at Concord in New Hamp-
shire
[R. 2-84] [Bounties advanced by Towns, 178 2. ~]
In Committee on Claims, Exeter June 17, 1782.
The Bounties and Supplies advanced by the Town of Tem-
ple amount to Two Hundred & Fifty one pounds two shillings
and ten pence — and the Bounties advanced by Hillsborough
amount to Fifty Three Pounds eight shillings — and the Boun-
ties & supplies advanced by Peterborough amount to Ninety
six Pounds eight shillings and seven pence good money which
sums have been deducted from the soldiers depreciation
Ex d Per Josiah Gilman Jun r
The Bounty advanced by Packersfield [Nelson] to Bunker
Clark which was deducted from his depreciation amounts to
Eighteen Pounds twelve shillings good money
Ex d Per Josiah Gilman Jun r
[R. 2-85] [Lieut. Samuel Bradford's Petition, 7781.']
[In a petition dated Jan. 2, 1781, Samuel Bradford states
that he "engaged in the Service of the United States of
America in Nov r 1776 as a Lieutenant in the Second New
Hampsh 1 Regiment and continued in said Service until the
206 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
13 th of Sept r 1778." Being sick at that time he received a
furlough from Gen. Poor, and did not again enter the ser-
vice. He was in Capt. Claye's company in 1777. When the
regiments were reorganized he was left out on account of
his disability. — Ed.]
[5-76] [Petition for Authority to tax Non-Residents, iy8o.~]
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Council and Assembly of S d State in
general Court Conveaned
May it Please your Honors we the Subscribers freeholders
in the town of Hillsborough in S d State Beg Leave to Petitions
that whereas the Late John Hill Esq r Boston who was Sole
Proprietor in this town Did Before the Commencement of the
present war Promies to give one hundred Acres of Land to-
wards Buildings a Bridge over Connecticut River So Called in
this town which Bridge we should have Built foore or five
years a goe had it not Ben for this unhappy War but at Last
we have Compleated s d Bredg and the S hairs of the s d Jho n
Hill Es r Have Ben Solisted to Make good there father Promies
but refuses we therefore humbly petition that yoore Honnours
would order a tax to be Leved on the Non Risidents Land ly-
ing in town to dyfree the Chrges of building s d Bridge as we
Labour under heavy Burdens in town and s d Bridge will be of
grate Sarvis not ondly to this town but also to the Publick as
s d Bridge cost us two thousand three hundred and three poond
as Money was Last October and if yoore honours shall in yoore
wisdom Se fit to grant this, our Petition we as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever Pray
Hillisborough the Eighth Day of May Anoq DoD 1780
Samuel Bradford jur Zebediah Johnson Jacob flint
w m taggart archibald taggart Joseph taggart
Calven Stevens George Willy Samu 1 Bradford
David wright Isaac Andres william Pope
Nathaniel Haywood Sam 1 Jones James Jones
James Dutton Isaac Andrews Jun r William Jones
Benj m Jones John Duton Benjamin Dutton
thadeus monroe John Shed Nemiah wilkins
John Mead timothy Bradford William Grout
Lot Jeneson Daneeil Rolf Smith Robertson
Jesse Rolf William Booth Jonathan Sargant
Jonathen Durant Andrew Wilkins George Booth
HILLSBOROUGH. 207
Joshua Easty Benjamin Kimball william taggart Jun r
James taggatnt William Gammett Nathanell Colledge
Joseph Symonds Samuel Symonds Robert Taggard
Daniel Gibson tristram Cheney John Cheney
John m c Calley William Hutchinson John Gibson
Andrew Bixbe John m c Clary W m Jones Junr
Alexander m c clintok John m c Clintok Fortunatus Wheeler
[5-77] [Relative to drawing Town Lots, 1^84."]
State of New Hampshire
To the honorable the Council & House of Representatives now
sitting at portsmouth within & for the said state of New
Hampshire
Humbly Shew the Subscribers that at the time of settleing
the Town of Hillsborough in the County of Hillsborough &
State afores d many of your petitioners received Deeds from John
Hill Late of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth
of Mass a Esq 1 " Deces d of Lots of Land in the first Division in
said Town & after settleing the Lots in the first Division, Drew
by virtue of said Deeds which also conveyed them an undivided
Share in the residue of said Town other Lots in the Second
Division annexed to their first Number, & that those of your
petition who did not purchase from said Hill purchased from
others who held under him as afors d That on the Severance of
the Second Division as afores d a plan was made of said Divi-
sions, & Entries made by said Hill of the Numbers Drawn to
each original Lot & the persons Interested Entered into the
same have cultivated improved & they & those who purchased
from them have held & possessed the same severally to this
Day agreably to the Division plans & Drawing afores d that the
said Hill at the time possessed himself of the plan & minutes
afores d & held the same in his possession untill his Death &
from his Decease the same have come to the hands & possession
of his heirs & Executors who have Suppressed the Same & now
claims the Lands against your petitioners who have nothing but
oral Testimony to prove the Severance aforesaid or to Secure
to them the fruits of their Labor for many years past expended
upon their several possessions wherefore they most Humbly
pray that on their producing to your honour clear and indis-
putable proof of the facts aforesaid that your honors will by an
Act Establish the aforesaid Severance & Secure to them their
possessions or give them such other relief as to your honors in
your great wisdom Shall appear Just & Equitable
208
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Robert m c Cluer
James m c Calley
William Pope
John M c Calley
Andrew Bixbe
John Gibson
James Taggart
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 17, 1785, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[5-78] [Relative to Date of Annual Meeting, 1783, ,]
State of Newhampshire
To the Hon ble Senate and House of Representatives in General
assembly Convened at Concord the third Wednesday of octob r
Anno Domini 1785
The Petition of the select men & other inhabitance of the
Town of Hillsborough in the County of Hillsboro h and state of
New Hampshire aforesaid —
Humbly sheweth that our annual meeting being held on the
Last thursday of march Discommods us sum Times it happens
to be on the Last Day of march the Town officers not being
sworn on that Day we are obliged to adjourn our annual meeting
into april ; which is attended with much Difficulty on ace 1 of
taking our invoice early in the month of april and by Reason
of many Conveyances being made between the first Day of
april and the time of taking the invoice it is Defec* matter to
take the invoice so that Every person my have Justice.
Your Petition therefore pray that our annual meeting may be
held on the first monday of march annually for the future insted
of the Last thursday
and your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c —
October 20 th 1785
Jedidiah Preston
William Taggart
John mead
David Wright
William Booth
Joseph Symonds
Benjamin Dutton
Jonathan Danforth
Daniel Killam
Paul Cooledge
Isaac Andrews
John Dutton
Wm. TaggartJ uner
fSe
Hi
Select men
of
llsborough
William Parker
Eliphalet Bradford
Andrew Bixbe
Jonathan Sargent
Daniel Rolf
Samuel Bradford
David Marshall
Benj a Gould
Ephraim Train
William Jones
Benj a Kimball
John Hartwell
Otis How
Gorge Booth
Joshoa Estey
James Dutton
Uriah Cooledge
Samuel Danforth
James mcCalley
James Jones
HILLSBOROUGH. 209
Elijah Beard Isaac Andrews Perkins Andrews
William Little Calvin Stevens Nehemiah Wilkins
John Shed J onn mcNeall Moses Steel
William Hutchinson Samuel Symonds William Love
Timothy Gray Solomon Andrews John gibson
William Symonds Nath 11 Symonds
[In H. of Rep., Oct. 31, 1785, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[5-79] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783. ,]
State of New Hampshire —
Hillsborough Decern 1 " the 16 th 1783
We find by Estimation Ninety Eight Male poles upwards of
twenty one years of age paying Taxes in s d Town
John Dutton ) Select
Isaac Andrews Jun r ) Men
Hillsborough ss December the 16 th 1783
Then the above Named John Dutton & Isaac Andrews Jun r
Each personally Appeared and made solemn oath they had
taken the N° of the male poles in the above s d town Before Me
Isaac Andr s Jus peace
[5-81] \_Petition for Authority to tax Non-Residents, 1785.]
To His Excellency the President of the State of New Hamp-
shire the Hon ble Senate and House of Representatives in
General Assembly Convened at Concord the third Wednes-
day of October Anno Domini 1785 —
The petition of the Select men & other Inhabitants of the
Town of Hillsborough, in the County of Hillsborough and
State of New Hampshire aforesaid
Humbly sheweth that the Land in said Town is very rocky
and that the Inhabitants have been at Great Expence, in mak-
ing, mending and making passable the highways therein, and
Also by means of a Number of Large bridges, which they were
obliged to build, and Maintain over Contucook River, the
Charges of said roads & bridges have become Excessively
heavy and burdensome —
Your Petitioners therefore pray that a tax of one penny per
16
2IO
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
acre may be Laid upon all the Lands in said Town to be
appropriated for the sole purpose, of making repairing, and
maintaining said roads and bridges, or that your Excellency
and your honours would in your Great wisdom, be pleased to
Grant them such other relief as you shall think fit and your
petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c.
October 20 th 1785
Isaac Andrews ") Select men
John Dutton > of
W m Taggart Juner J Hillsb h
Eliphalet Bradford
Jonathan Danforth
Daniel Killam
Paul Cooledge
David Wright
Daniel Rolf
Benj a Kimball
Samuel Bradford
David Marshall
Jedidiah Preston
Elijah Beard
William Little
John Shed
William Hutchinson
Timothy Gray
William Symonds
John Hartwell
Benj a gould
Ephr m Train
Andrew Bixbe
Gorge Booth
Joshua Estey
William Taggart
James Dutton
Uriah Cooledge
William Jones
Isaac Andrews
Calvin Stevens
John mcNeall
Samuel Symonds
Solomon Andrews
Nath 11 Symonds
John mead
Samuel Danforth
James m c Calley
Otis How
William Booth
William Parker
Joseph Symonds
Benjamin Dutton
Jonathan Sargent
James Jones
Perkins xAndrews
Nehemiah Wilkins
Moses Steel
William Love
John gibson
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 28, 1786, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[5-83] [Relative to Robert Tinney, Soldier. ~\
To the Hon blc Sennate and hon ble house of Representatives
in General Assembly Conveined for the State of New Hamp
the 3 d Wednesday of octo r Instant at Concord in s d State
The Petetion of the Select men of Hillsborough in the Coun-
ty of Hillsborough and other of the Inhabitants of said Town
Humbly shews — That the Select" for s d Town in the year 1 7S1 ,
by the names of Samuel Bradford and John M c Calley Signed
a note of hand bearing date March y e 14 th 17S1 thereby prom-
ising to pay one John M c Clintock or order one hundred and
ninety two Bushells of Good Merchantable Indian Corn or as
much money as will purchase it, at or before the fourteenth day
or March then next with Interest till paid &c — That the above
HILLSBOROUGH. 211
note was Given to the Said M c Clintock for the hire of a Certain
Robert Tinney who the said M c Clintock had procured to enlist
into the Continatal Army said Year as a man for the said Town
of Hillsborrough — That notwithstanding the Said Note was
given to the s d M c Clintock as hire for said Soldier he the said
Soldier immediately after his Muster Diserted and Never Joined
the Army at all and your petitioners Vehemintly Suspect that
this Disertion was advised and Countinanced by the s d M c Clin-
tock That the Town of Hillsborrough were so Well Satisfyed
that the said M c Clintock was not entitled by either Law or
Equity to the corn or money promised by the s d note that they
universally discountinanced the paymint thereof and suffered a
suit to be brought against the Signers of the said Note intend-
ing to dispute the same before the Superior Court of this State
but by the inattention of one of the Signers to the said Note
when the tryal came on before the inferior Court for the County
of Hillsborough which was held at Amherst the 4 th day of Aug*
1782 — a Default issued and Judgment Entered against the Per-
sons who Signed the said note for the sum of 47,, 16,, 8 d Dam-
age and 3,, 13,, 8 d Cost of Court as appears of Record — Both
which Sums has since been paid to the said John M c Clintock
by the said Town of Hillsborrough notwithstanding the s d
T'nney never Served in the Army one day in Consequence of
this Hire —
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Honers
will Order the said M c Clintock to return the said money he has
received as afores d or Order a New Tryal in such a way and
manner as the nature of the said Contract made with the s d
M c Clintock may be enquired into by some Court proper to Try
the same that Justice may be done in the premises — or in any
way that shall Seem to your Excell y and honers —
and Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray &c
Dated at Hillsbourough Octo r 20 th 1785
Isaac Andrews ~\
John Dutton V Selectmen
W m Taggart June r )
Andrew Bixbe Otis How David Wright
William Parker Benj a Kimball Jonathan Danforth
Samuel Danforth Daniel Killom Calvin Stevens
Nehemiah Wilkins John Shed John m c Neall
WHliam Love Timothy Gray Solomon Andrews
John gibson William Symonds Nath 11 Symonds
Joseph Symonds Samuel Bradford James Dutton
Benj a Dutton David Marshall Uriah Cooledge
Jonathan Sargent Gorge Booth William Booth
212 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Daniel Rolf Joshua Estey Jedidiah Preston
William Taggart Eliphalet Bradford John Hartwell
John mead Benj a gould Ephraim Train
James m c Calley Paul Cooledge William Jones
James Jones Elijah Beard Isaac Andrews
Perkins Andrews William Little Moses Steel
William Hutchinson Samuel Symonds
£5-84] [Relative to Incorporating a Town Library, iygy.~\
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in
general Court convened at Portsmouth November 1797
Humbly sheweth Benjamin Peirce Joseph Symonds Isaac
Andrews Jonathan Barnes Calvin Stevens and others their
Associates have purchased a number of books for the purpose
of Establishing a Social Library in the Town of Hillsborough,
but finding it necessary to be Incorporated in Order to realize
the advantage Anticipated, by purchasing books in common,
therefore pray that they may be Incorporated with such privi-
ledges, as are usually granted in such cases and they as in duty
bound will pray
Benjamin Pierce*
[The foregoing petition was granted Dec. 6, 1797. — Ed.]
HINSDALE.
Previous to the settlement of the divisional line between
the provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusetts in
1 741, a large portion of the territory now comprising this
town and a portion of what is now Winchester belonged
to Northfield, Mass. Settlements had been made here by
authority of a grant from the government of that province,
and a fort had been built by Col. Ebenezer Hindsdale on
the east side of Connecticut river a little north of the old
line of Northfield, as shown on an ancient plan which is No.
84^ in the volume from which the following papers are
copied. Fort Dummer was situated on the west side of the
[*Hon. Benjamin Pierce was born in Chelmsford, Mass., Dec. 25, 1757. He was a sol-
dier in the Revolutionary war; sheriff from 1807 to 1814, and from 1819 to 1827 ; represent-
ative eleven years, and for six years a member of the council. He was elected governor of
the stale in 1827, and again in 1829. He was the father of Franklin Pierce, president of the
United States from 1852 to 1856. He died April 1, 1839.— Ed.]
HINSDALE. 213
river, a short distance above the mouth of Venters brook,
and was built by Hon. William Dummer, Anthony Stod-
dard, William Brattle, and John White, of Boston, who
owned by purchase the tract of land west of the river
known as the "Equivalent Lands." It was named for Mr.
Dummer, as was also the town of Dummerston, Vt.
The inhabitants and others petitioned the government of
New Hampshire for a grant of the township, and were
favored with one dated Sept. 3, 1753, which covered all the
territory on the west side of Connecticut river now in the
town of Vernon, Vt., in addition to what is now Hinsdale,
except the north part east of the river, which was contained
in the grant of Winchester, made July 2, 1753, and by which
the north part of Winchester extended to Connecticut river.
On the 26th of September of the same year, Gov. Went-
worth, with advice of the council, decided and declared that
the east line of Hinsdale, instead of running no further north
than the old north line of Northfield, should run through
to Chesterfield, thus taking a considerable portion of land
that had been granted to Winchester, but leaving the latter
a more compact township.
The name of the town is derived from Col. Ebenezer
Hindsdale and is so spelled in the charter, and in many
other documents prior to 1800. So far as I have seen, the
colonel always wrote his name as above, and it is so written
in most of the original manuscripts of the documents pub-
lished in Vol. IX. The petition for the charter may be
found on page 382 of that volume.
On the formation of the state of Vermont the town lost
about one half its territory : with that exception I believe no
change has been made in its boundaries since Sept. 26, 1753.
[5-85] [ Col. yosiah WillaroVs Account for Suf plies furnish-
ed Soldiers, lyjo.']
Fort Dumer July y e 6 th 1750
John Goffe Esq r Cap* W m Shackford Richard Downing Jon a
Tilton & Zach r Tole D r to Col Josiah Willard—
To Pork ioi lb a 1 i d p r lb a 4. 12. 7
To Beaf i3 lb a <f p r lb a o. 9. 9
To Cheas 22 lb a 9 p r lb a o. 16. 6
To Bread 7i lb a 6 d p r lb a 1. 15. 6
To Beanes one Peek a o. 2. o
o.
i.
3
3-
o.
o
o.
3-
o
214 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To Meal 1 Peek a
To w Rum 6 gall n a 10 s p r gal a
To Sug r 2 lb a i 8 : 6 d p r lb a
Boarding 12 men 3 Days a 2 s 6 d p r Day )
D° 9 men 1 Day a j 5. 12. 6
To Cash Paid Cap* Fairbanks moore Lieu 1 Volintine
Butler 6l William Willard for Boating 2. 5. o
To Cash Paid David Farnsworth 2. 10. o
To Cash Paid James Johnson 1. 0.0
To Pastering 7 horses 14 Days a 6 d p r Day 2. 9. o
24. 17. 1
Total
Josiah Willard
o. o
[5"-86] [ Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale's Bill, 1755. ~\
Province of ") to Ebenez r Hindsdales and others
New Hampshire] D r 1755
1755 — June 7 th To a man & Horse Riding Post to Fort
Dum r & So to Charlestown to Notify y e People of the misheif
Done by the Indians at Hoosock <£io. o. o
June 1 2 th to a man & Horse from Deerf d to No- \
tify the Frontiers of the mischief Done by the Ind- > JC10. o. o
ians at Charlymont )
To an Express of 2 men to N° 4 to Notify of a ) «£
body of Indians Descending on our Frontiers )
June 27 to an Express to Charlestown &c to No- \
tify of a body of Indians Killing & Captivating 3 > £6. o. o
families near Hindsdales Fort 1
(Not allow d ) July 17 To Ten Horses 1 Night 64/, \
62 meals for y e men that Come to bury y e Dead & \ £ij. 10. o
Follow y e Enemy j
July 27 to an Express from Maj Bellowses of j
2 men to y e great meadow Charlestown & Keen to > £6. o. o
Notify of 2 men Killed near His Garrison j
July 22 d to a man & Horse to Deerfield when the "]
men were Killed & Taken at Hindsdales Garrison In, n n
in order to get men to go out & bury y e Dead and | **
pursue y e Enemy J
to be paid \ To the Entertainment of 31 1
by y e Com tec of war > men & their Horses who In -
£19. 10 j come to bury Ordeway and ' ^'
pursue the Enemy
to a Winding Sheat for Said Ordeway J £4. o. o
HINSDALE. 215
To the Hire of a Horse from Winchester to Ports- \
mouth for Timo th Wells a Soldier Caring the No- > £7. 10. o
tice of the above mischeif to His Excell y )
July 27 To an Express from Maj r Bellowses to
y e great meadow to Notify of y e Enemies attacking \ „
Maj 1 Bellows & men & besetting m r Killbourns
House
Total Old Ten r £88. o. o
Left to be paid for
Expresses JE51 Old Tenor
To His Excell y Gov 1 Wentworth with the Honourable His
majestys Councill or y e Honr ble the Committe of warr.
May It please Your Excell r & Honr s : The above acc ts are
Justly Charged & as it would be a great Hardship for me or y e
particular persons who have been Sent on Such Emergencies
Should bear the Expence I Intreat It may be allowed & paid to
Maj r Bellows or whom you may order for y e Severall persons to
whom it belongs
from your Excell ys & Hon rs most Dutifull &
obedient Serv*
Ebenez r Hindsdale
Hindsdale Dec r 26 th 1755
In Councill Jan ry 15 th 1755
The foregoing Acco* Examined by the Council who are of
opinion that the Sum of Twelve Pounds fifteen Shillings N
Ten r be allowed in full of the Sundry Charges for Expresses the
other articles not being Directed to them are not Considered in
the said allowance
Theod r Atkinson Sec' 7
[5~"87] [Relative to Dummer 's Ferry.~\
To the Honourable Members of the general Cort Now Set-
ing in the State of N : Hampshire whereas we the Subscribers
lave been Informed that there hath Been astrife Between one
dlen willard And one James Hubbard Each One of them hav-
ing Exhibited a Pertion to the Board of this State Requesting
the Privaledge of having the Bennefit of the Ferra Commonly
nown by the Name of Dummers Ferra Now as to the matter of
~ I r Allen Willard having the farra Stated to him as his Situation
is Very Rermoat in Deed we Viewe it much Contry to Right
L.nd good Reason the above s d James Hubbard having for this
216
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
four years and Above owned the Land that Must Necesarly Im-
proved by all that Cross the River at that Place for s d Hubbard
Bought the Land of M r Henry Gibbs of Old Salem and hath a
warrantee Deed and all the Privaladge that apertaine thareunto
And as to the Land that s d Hubbard Bought is not Seficant to
Seport a famualy on But Varry Conveanant for a farra man,
and we do Challang of Proffit belongs to the Town of Hinds-
dale as the Line Between N Hampshire and York was Precise-
ly afixed to the west Banks of Connecticut River Now the s d
Hubbard is Allowed to be a man of good general Character
aud wold be Likely to Indulge Passengers Even to his Best
Abilety & we the Subscribers Bag the favour that Even for the
good of the Publick that the s d James Hubbard might be a
Pointed & Improved as a farra man
& we understand that if Allen Willard gits the farra that it is
to be Kept on the west Side of the River by another man
Daniel Shattuck
Benj Stone
Ebenezer Soule
William Lyon
David Bishop
Samuel Batchelder
John Streeter
Elijah Barret
Nathan Thomas
Gideon Shattuck
Henley Ward
Oliver Doolittle
Elihu Stebbins
Elijah Cooper
Isaac Barret
Makpeac Shattuck
Samuel Thomas Ju
Ivory Soule
Philips Barret
William Davenport
Israel Thomas
Isaac morgan
Eldad Wright
Amasa Burt
Aaron Blanchard
Edward Morgan
Cyprian Peirce
Hezekiah Elmer
Asa Philips
Silas Barret
offen Burnam
Billey Burnham
daniel thomas
[5-88] ^Relative to Abatement of Taxes, I77Q.~\
To the Honorable the Council for the State of New Hampshire
and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled at
Exeter on the day of October 1779. —
The Inhabitants of the Town of Hindsdale in the County of
Cheshire humbly Shew. That in the Year 1778 Your petition-
ers prefer'd a memorial to the General Court, Setting forth That
The Inhabitants of said Hindsdale were taxed more than Their
Just and Equitable proportion to the State tax for the Years
1777 & 177S, and pray'd an abatement thereof, in Consequence
of said memorial the Honorable Court did take the Case of your
petitioners into Consideration and did order that an Inventory
of all the Polls and Rateable Estate in said Town (the Common
& undivided Land excepted) be taken & return'd into the Sec-
retarys Office within three months in which Case your petition-
HINSDALE. 217
er should have an Allowance in the next years Tax, and that in
Consequence of said Order the Selectmen of said Hindsdale did
make an Inventory agreable to the directions of the General
Court, and as your Petitioners had no Representative in this
Honora ble Court except Coll Ashley One of the Council for said
County, said Inventory was Committed to his Care to be deliv-
ered agreable to the directions of the General Court, but your
Petitioners finding no Relief in their assessment for the present
year, immagine that the Case of your Petitioners was pass d over
in Silence. Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray That this
Honorable Court woud take their Case into Consideration and
Grant them such Relief as in Your Great Wisdom shall seem
Meet, as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Aaron Cooper ) Selectmen
Micah Rockwood f of Hindsdale
[5-89] [Relative to Vermont Controversy, 178 1.~]
New hapshir. To the Honorable the Commitee of the State
We the Subscribers Holding our selves as good subjects of
the State of New Hapshire are Now purplexed and vexed : a
number of Designing men as we apprehend who with a Dissign
to Distroy the quiet & peace not only of this town but in all the
towns in the New hampshire grants on the East of the River
have got commissioned by the Govenor of the State of Vermont,
both in the civil and military order, and Now Require of us the
most strictest obedience which if we Refuse we are punished &
Delt with according to thir Laws whos juriousdiction and au-
thority we Deney and Humbly pray for your Protection and as-
sistence in Defending our Selves —
Hensedal July y e 13 1781
Oliver Doolittle Zeph h Richmond James Peacock
Daniel Shattuck William flagg Baz 1 Grandey
gershem Densmere Ephraim Eaton Elisha Belding
Joshua Frost John Evans Nathaniel Collens
Uriel Evans Remembrance Wright Asa Flagg
Amasa Burt Nath 1 Sanger Isaac Barret
Cyrus Shattuck Eldad Evans Philip Barret
Silas Barret Makpeace Shattuck Jonathan Barret
Gideon Shattuck T , !J tti Darius wright
Aaron Wright J ohn * k * **& Jedediah Smith
Ivory Soule oliver Smith
John Peacock David Bishop
2l8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-90] [Petition for a Grant of a Ferry, I?8ji]
To his Excellency the President the Honorable Senate and
House of Representatives in General Court convened.
Humbly shews your respectful Petitioner the Subscriber, that
over Connecticutt River in the Town of Hinsdale at a place
known by the name of Fort Dummer there has been a ferry
way much improved for a long time —
That the same has been supplied with boats and attended
upon by the late father of your petitioner and others of the said
family for the space of fourscore years —
That the land on both sides of the river belongs to the heirs
of his said father — that one of the heirs at present waits at the
same ferry, and has convenient boats for the conveyance over of
passengers & their Cattle & Carriages of all kinds. The prayer
of your petitioner therefore is, that he may have a grant of the
exclusive right to said ferry way upon such terms and under
such restrictions as to your Excellency and Honors shall seem
expedient. And your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever
pray
Allin Willard
Octo r ye 12, 1785
Hindsdale May 10 th 1786.
We the subscribers having been served with the Petition and
order of Court pray that your Honours would grant the Peti-
tioner his Prayer And would Inform your Honours the Road to
& from said Ferrie is layed out, on land of the Heirs of Capt.
Nathan Willard dec d
Micah Rockwood ) Select Men
Hollis Taylor j of Hindsdale
[5~9 r ] [Relative to aforesaid Ferry, 1786. ~]
We the Subscribers being applied to by James Hubbard with
an Instrument of Writeing Signifying the Necessaty of a Ferries
being keep in the Town of Hindsdale on the East side of the
River Opposite Dummer Landing — And that he might have the
Benefit thereof, and that we would Signify our approbation to
the Same, Accordingly there was a Town Meeting Called by
the desire of s d Hubbard. — And it was the Opinion of the
Town, And allmost an Unanimous Vote, that as the Heirs of
the Willard Family own'd Land on Both sides of the River, &
Cap 1 Nathan Willard Dec d had keep the Ferrie for a great Num-
ber of years, — that his Son Allyn should have the Preheminence,
We are therefore of the Opinion of the Major part of the Town,
HINSDALE.
219
& we do hereby Revoke and Disannul our Names being to s d
Hubbards Instrument, and we do Annex the same to Allyn
Willards Petition, — For the foregoing Reasons And for s d Hub-
bards giveing us a Rong Representation of the same.
David Lyon ~) a 1 f
Hindsdale Jan? 25 th 1786 Cyrus Shattuck [• f ^indsdale
Eldad Evans )
[5-93]
[Another Petition relative to same.~\
Hinsdale Jan y 12 th 1786
We the Subscribers Select Men & Inhabitants of the Town
of Hindsdale, having taken the above Petition into Mature Con-
sideration, — and as the Heirs of Cap 1 Nathan Willard own Land
on both sides of the River, — We strongly Recommend it to
your Honours, that he may have an exclusive right to the Fer-
rie, in s d Town of Hindsdale on the east side of the River, it
being in the County of Chesshire and State of New Hamp-
shire, — and Opposite the old Landing known by the name of
Dummer Landing in the town of Brattleborough and that said
Allyn Willard may be Established in the same & enjoy the
Benefit thereof
Yours &c &c
Cyrus Shattuck ") Select
Eldad Evans >■ men of
David Lyon ) Hinsdale
Abner Comins
gershem Desmore
Ephraim Eaton
Seth Bishop
Aaron Wright
Hollis Taylor
Jedediah Smith
Thos Beebe
Joshua Frost
Uriel Evans
Jonathan Wright
Aaron Cooper
Benja m Sanger
Oz 8 Elmer
Drius Wright
John Medcalf
John Peacock
Timothy Beebe
Nathan Willard
Jon a Carver
Daniel Jones
John Gardiner
Isaac Crain
Thomas Rockwood
Jesse Hill
John Evens
Hezekiah Elmer
Thomas Taylor
Nath 11 Sanger
Tilley Wilder
Luther Winslow
W m Smith
[5~94] [Deposition of yosiah Wheeler, 1786. ,]
Cheshire ss Hindsdale April y e 19 th 1786
The Deposition of Josiah Wheeler of Hindsdale afore sd of
Lawfull age who Testifys and says that sometime about the first
of January Last Past I the Deponent being in Company with
Chearles Evans he presented a certain Paper to me the Depo-
220 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
nent to sign in faviour of Alain Willard of s d Hindsdale that
he the s d alain mite have the Priviledge of the fearry acrost
Conecticut River at a Place called Dummer in sd Hindsdale ; I
told him I should not ; he the s d Evans then told the Deponent
that I had better ; for s d he you will want to cross offen and you
hant always money Implying as I understood that If I would
not sign said Paper I should not be carried acrost s d farry with-
out the money in hand ; thereby attempting to force me to sign
s d Paper and farther invited me to go to town-meeting and take
a Drink with him and further the Deponent saith Not
Josiah Wheeler
At the same time and Place I Edward morgan of Hindsdale
of Lawfull age testifies and says that on or about the fifth day
of January last past being in Town-meeting in s d Hindsdale I
saw considerable of cherry Rum handed about to be Drank in
the meeting House in s d Hindsdale and Drank of the same
myself and farther the Deponent saith Not
Edward Morgan
Cheshire ss : April y e 19 th 1786 then the above said Josiah
Wheeler and Edward Morgan signers to the above Decla-
ration personally appear'd and after due caution and carefull
Examination made solemn oath to the truth of the above Dec-
larations by them severally Signed and subscribed
Coram Michael Cresey Just : Peace
[5 _ 95] [Deposition of Nathaniel Steams.']
Cheshire ss : Hindsdale April y e 19 th 1786
The Deposition of Nathanel Stearns of s d Hindsdale of Law-
full age who Deposeth and saith that he the Deponent being in
Company with Alain willard of Hindsdale afore sd att s d Hinds-
dale about the first of January last past ; and discoursing with
him the s d Willard about the ferry at a place called Dummer in
s d Hindsdale which ferry he the s d willard and James Hubbard
of s d Hindsdale both Claims the Previledge of; and there being
then a town meeting of s d Hindsdale warn d to Know the minds
of s d town concerning the s d Dispute ; the said Willard then
and there desired me the Deponent as I was soon going toward
the lower end of s d town to Inform sundry Persons that if they
would come to s d meeting and vote in faviour of him the s d
willard he would give them as much Groge as they could drink
and further the Deponent saith not
Nathaniel Stearns
HINSDALE. 221
Cheshire ss : April y e 19 th 1786; then the above Named
Nathaniel Stearns signer to the above Declaration personally
appear d and after due Caution and carefull Examination made
solum oath to the truth the above Declaration by him sub-
cribed —
Coram Michael Cresey Just Peace
[5-97] \_James Hubbard for a Ferry, iy86.~\
The State of New Hampshire
To the Hon ble John Langdon Esq 1 President of said State : The
honourable Senate and House of Representatives in General
Court assembled.
The petition of James Hubbard of Hinsdale in the County
of Cheshire in said State Yeoman :
Humbly sheweth : That there being great need of a stated
Ferry over Connecticut River, in said Hinsdale against where
the Fort called Dummer formerly stood ; as there is much travel
with Teams Horses Carriages &c — And as said Ferry has not
been properly provided with Boats, to carry over loaded Teams
by which means mens lives and properties, have been much
exposed, and some have sustained, great damage and loss.
And whereas, your Petitioner owns the Land on east side of the
River, at the Landing ; and has a Dwelling House, about eight
Rods distant therefrom, which is the only house within half
a Mile on this side of the River ; and will enter into sufficient
Bonds, obliging hemself, his heirs and assigns forever ; to pro-
vide and keep suitable Boats ; and give proper attendance at all
Times, to transport over said Ferry, subject to such regulations
as the Honourable Court shall order : provided the exclusive
priviledge, of keeping said Ferry, at the Place where it now is,
and one mile and a half up the said River ; and three Miles
down ; may be granted to him and his heirs forever.
Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays, the Honourable
Court, to take the matter into their wise consideration ; and
grant the exclusive priviledge of keeping the said Ferry, to
your Petitioner and his Heirs forever ; or otherwise order, as
you in your Wisdom shall think proper ; and your Petitioner
as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Hinsdale January the 2 d 17S6
James Hubbard
[The ferry was granted to Willard, June, 1786. — Ed.]
222 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5~98] [Petition for a Magistrate, 178Q.']
State of New Hampshire )
Cheshire County ) Hindsdale Oct r y e 12 th 1789
To His Excellency John Sullivan Esq r Captain jeneral & Com-
mander in Chief in and over the Province of New hamp-
shire —
We your Informers Humbly Beg leave to shew that the Town
of Hindsdale is Now Destitute of any justice of the Peace
within s (i Town which is much to the Damage of the same we
therefore with advise of others Do Recommend m r uriel Evans
for that Purpose ; we therefore Pray your Excellency to Qualify
& Commission the said mr uriel Evans for a justice of the
Peace for said Town of Hindsdale and we Shall Greatly Ac-
knowledge your Excellencyes favour for the same
Nathaniel Stearns | Selectmen
Samuel Robbins j for Hindsdale
[5-99] [Petition for Authority to send a Representative,
1793 '-]
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Hindsdale
To the Honorable Senate & house of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court conven d
Whereas in & by the Constitution of the State of New Hamp-
shire it is Requir d that a Town shall have One Hundred &
Fifty Rateable Polls of Twenty One years of age and upwards
to be Intitled to the Previledge of a Representative Whereas
the Town of Hindsdale has not the Number requir d and Cannot
with any Convenience be Clast with any other Town parish or
place and we your Petitioners conceive that we Labour under
many Disadvantages for the want of the previledge of a Rep-
resentative to many to be innumerated in this Petition and we
the Selectmen of Hindsdale by order of the Majority votes of s d
Town to Petition the General Court Above Mention* that Said
Hindsdale may have the previledge of a Representative in s d
Court w r e the Subscribers humbly request that the previledge
may be granted to the s d Town of Hindsdale as in Duty bound
shall ever pray
Hindsdale May 30 th 1793
Cyrus Shattuck") Selectmen
Uriel Evans > for
Perley Marsh ) Hindsdale
HINSDALE. 223
[5-100] [Petition for the Privilege of a Lottery, 1795.']
To the Honorable General Court of the State of Newhampshire
convened at Hanover June 1795 —
we your Petitioners the Inhabitants of Winchester Hindsdale
and others humbly sheweth that your Petitioners as well as the
Publick at large suffer great Inconvenancy for want of a good
Publick Road leading from the Furnace in Said Winchester on
the North Side of Ashewillet River till it strikes the grate Road
at or near Whelers mills in Said Hindsdale that leads from
Northfield to Chesterfield allso another Road Begening about
one Mile East of Said Whelers Mills on the first Mentioned
Road and runing a Northerly course till it Strikes Said Chester-
field Road Sixty or Eighty Rods Southerly of M r Daniel Fish-
ers House allso to make Two stone butments two stone pillors
for string peaces to lye on for the Bridge over Ashewillet River
nere Said Furnace and whareas between three and four miles of
Said Intended Road there is no Inhabetants live and by reason
of Hills and Brooks there will be much diging and Bridging to
be don on Said Road which will make it very Expencesive al-
tho when don will be of grate utility to the Publick as well as
Individles b} r shortning a grate Roade four or five miles leading
from the Country to the seport Towns and whare as it is Too
Havy a Burthen on the Inhabitants living near Said Road to
make it passable for Teams & c — in this Situation we cheerfully
Bring forward this our Petition Looking up to your Honours as
the gardiens of the People, that you will take our Case into
your Wise Consideration & grant us a Lottery to raise fifteen
Hundred Dollars for the purpose of making Said Roads &
Bridges with the other Expence & as the major part of the
Tickets will be sold out of this State this with the grate advan-
tage which will arise to the Publick frame the object we make
no Doubt your Honours Will Grant our Request and as in
Duty bound Will Ever pray —
Thomas Gould William Humphrey Elisha Knapp
Reuben Alexander J r Stephen Hawkins Nathan Parker
Ezra Parker Jun r Asa Alexander Abel Oldham
Ephraim Hawkins Ezra Healy Thadd : Bancroft
Sam' 1 Warren Richard Gale Paul Richardson
Noah Pratt Henry Pratt Daniel Severance
Nathan Pratt Samuel Hill Abel Hammond
Justus Jewell Asa Allexander Ebenezer Bancraft
Moses Chamberlain Josiah W r ard Asa Bancroft
Charles Conant Emery Gale Joseph Williams
Jacob Rich Robart Flemin William Bencraft
Asa Conant Enoch Robbins John Erskine
224
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Jones
Abraham Scott
Philip Goss Jr
William Gould
Jon a Howard
Josiah Wheeler
John Barret
Thomas Butler
William Howe
Lemuel Whitney
Rob 4 R Field
Thomas W : Daven-
port
Cyprian Pearce
Samuel Orvis
Erastus Sargent
Nathaniel Sanger Jr
Daniel Fisher
Elihu Stebbens
Dan 1 Healy
Daniel Hawkins Jun r
Levi Ripley
Henry Foster
David Hammond
John Everden
John Follet
Henry Thayer
Joseph Allen
Hezekiah Willis
Ezra Parker
Amasa Houghton
Elijah Butler
Benj n Conant
Jesse Scott
James Scott
Henry Ashley
Elijah Cooper
Stephen Coye
Joshua Frost
David Wolley
William Reed
Gard r Chandler
Eben r Hoyt
Edward Morgan
Elisha Pierce
Jonathan Burt
Allyn Willard
John Evens
John Badger
Abraham wheeler
Eleazer Lawrence J r
Eleazer Ripley
Jacob Fisk
Nath Bartlett
Abiel Naramore
John Alexander
Jeremiah Pratt
Ebenezer Kelmarn
Samuel wood
Samuel Healy
Eben r Scott J r
Jesse Spaulding
Ezra Conant
Daniel Ashlev
Philip Goss
Curtis Gould
John Alexander
Cyrus Shattuck
Vine Coye
John Barret Jun r
Nathan Thomas
Sam 1 Wellman
Elisha Briggs
Benj a Doolittle
Wm. Paterson
David Joy Jr.
Thomas Sargeant
Daniel Thomas
William Fisher
Edward Gustine
Eleazor Lawrence
George Farrington
William Ripley
Daniel wise
Tho's Curtis
James foster
Lemuel Taylor
Tertius Lyman
Ziba Ware
Theodosius Moore
Nehemiah Healy
Lewis Wotkins
Reuben Alexander
Benjamin Linkfield
[5-101]
To the Hon the Senate & House of Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire in Gen 1 Court convened
The Petion of Nathan Willard of Hinsdale in the County of
Cheshire & State afors d humbly shews
that whereas there is a certain small Island situated in Con-
necticut River within the Township of Hinsdale called Gravil
Island unlocated and which never has been claimed as the prop-
erty of any person or Persons known to your Petioner and the
s d Isleand (tho of small value) would greatly benefit the s d Na-
than Willard as in a time of Low Water it almost communicates
with the Land extending to the adjacent Banks and as the s d
HINSDALE. 225
Island can never be of any real value while it remains in its
present situation your Petioner prays that the same may be
granted to him — And as in duty bound shall ever pray
Nathan Willard
Hinsdale May 30 A D 1795
[Petition granted June 10, 1796. — Ed.]
[R. 2-87] \_Petition of Zebulon Moffatt, Soldier, l/?6, ad-
dressed to the General Court. ~\
Zebulon MofFatt of Hindsdale in the County of Cheshire Hum-
bly shews and gives your Honors to be informed that in the
year 1776, your Petitioner was a soldier in the Continental
Army And served for the State of New Hampshire in Capt
Hinds Company, and in the Regiment of which General Reed
was Colonell & your Petitioner during the Campaign Furnished
himself at his own Expence with a Good Firelock and other
Implements necessary for a soldier expecting to enjoy his own
property and bring the same home with him, but when your
petitioner left the army the Firelock or Gun above-mentioned,
by order of the Commander in Chief, at Fort George, was taken
from your Petitioner, without his Consent and without ever be-
ing allowed anything in satisfaction. * * *
Chesterfield June 18 th 1777
this May Certify that the Firelock taken from Zebulon Mof-
fatt was his property taken at Fort George 19 th August 1776 &
Returned into the Continental Stores S d Firelock Valued at
£3, 12, o, for me
Jacob Hinds Cap*
[The said amount was allowed. — Ed.]
[R. 2-89] ^Account for Soldiers' Bounties, etc.~\
State of New Hampshire to the Selectmen of Hindsdale Dr.
1779 paid the State Bounty & travel money to
July 22 Thomas Bishop a Soldier rais'd for the
defence of Rhode Island, per Rec* 41 , o, o
27 th paid Joel Preist State Bounty for 1 year'
in the Continental Army pr Rec 1 to Cy- J- 60,-
rus Shattuck,
17
226 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Aug* 3 paid Samuel Robins State Bounty for
one year in the Continental Army per ^ 60,-'
Rec 1 to Cyrus Shattuck
£161-"-"
Errors Excepted in behalf of the Selectmen of
Hindsdale per Moses Smith
In Committee on Claims Exeter Septem r 16 th 17S6
This account by the Scale, amounts to Ten pounds Eighteen
shillings — The vouchers are lodg'd in this office
Ex d per Josiah Gilman Jun r
June 20 th 17S7 Rec d an order on the Treasurer for Ten
pounds eighteen shillings in full of the within account
Moses Smith
HOLDERNESS.
The township was granted Nov. 10, 1 75 1, to John Shep-
ard and others by the name of Holderness ; the conditions
of this grant not being fulfilled, it was forfeited. It was re-
granted Oct. 24, 1 761, to Major John Wentworth and others,
some of whom were grantees by the first charter. Six of
the grantees bore the name of Shepard, and seven the name
of Cox. In this grant the town was named New Holder-
ness, in honor of Robert Earl of Holderness, and retained
that name until June 12, 18 16, when it was changed to
Holderness, in accordance with a vote of the town. It was
in the county of Strafford until it was annexed to Grafton,
Sept. 14, 1782. By an act approved July 1, 1868, the south-
west part of the town was set off and incorporated by the
name of Ashland.
[5-102] [Petition for a Regrant of some forfeited Rights.~\
Province of Newhampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq Governour & com-
mander in chief & to the honourable his majesty s council!
for said province of Newhampshire —
The petition of Samuel Livermore of Portsmouth in said
province Esq humbly showeth that in and by the Charter of
HOLDERNESS. 227
New Holderness One right or sixty seventh part was granted
to Sam 1 Wentworth Esq. of Boston and One like right or share
to Murry Hambleton ; that the said Grantees are both deceased
without taking any step towards fullfilling the conditions of set-
tling said township, according to Charter. And that he this
Petitioner hath agreed with the heir that claims the right of
said Hambleton & purchased the same from him. The peti-
tioner therefore prays that said Hambletons right may be re-
granted to this petitioner & that the said Sam 1 Wentworth Esqrs
right may be granted to such person as will effectually fullfill
the conditions of the Charter & pay the taxes Due thereon.
And your petitioner as in duty bound shall pray &c
Sam Livermore
[5-103] \_Petition for Arms and Ammunition, iyy6.~\
To the Hon ble the great and general Court or Committee of
Safty for the Colony of New Hampshire
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of New Hol-
derness, having gain'd Intelligence, that a considerable Part of
our Army in Canada have lately been forc'd by our unnatural
Enemies (the British Troops in s d Canada) to retreat, and
relinquish their Ground ; and apprehending ourselves in the
greatest Danger from the s d Troops, and scouting Parties of
Indians that may be sent down to annoy and destroy us ; and
being in no Capacity for Defence do in Behalf of the s d Town
pray your Honours to send us by the Bearer hereof M r Samuel
Curry the necessary Powder, Musquet-Balls and Flints for
thirty three able and effective men, (belonging to the s d Town)
who are ready with their Lives and Fortunes to assert and
maintain the american Cause ; and we your humble Petitioners
as soon as may be will pay to your Honours, or the Committee
of Safety for the Time being, an Equivalent for the same ; and
as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
William Cox j £> Sam 1 Sheperd \ O
Samuel Curry j q 4 And w Smyth \ g
£ Nath 11 Thompson J 3
3
a
[R. 2-90] [Hercules Mooney's Petition, iyyg.~\
To the Hon ble the Council and house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Assembly convened
Humbly Shews Hercules Mooney Esq r that in the year 1777
228 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
he was a Lieut Col of a Regiment in the Service of the United
States of America at Ticonderoga — That the unfortunate Evac-
uation of the Fortress there he in the common Calamity by the
loss of his Horse the most of his Clothes and all his Camp
Equipage to a very considerable value — that he has never had
any Consideration for his Losses — that being now appointed to
the command of a Regiment to go to Rhode Island he is under
a Necessity of supplying himself with such articles as he then
lost the Expence of which he cannot conveniently support un-
less he is compensated for his said Losses — * * *
Exeter June 26 th 1779
Hercules Mooney
[The petition was ordered to lie until the next session,
and he was "allowed .£200, to be accounted for." He peti-
tioned in June, 1786, representing himself as of New Hol-
derness, for the depreciation of his pay, which was allowed.
—Ed.]
[R. 291] \_Holderness Soldier, If8 2. ~]
I have this Day mustered Isaac Head to serve as a soldier
three years in the New Hampshire Line and to serve for the
town of Holderness
Pembrook July 26, 1782
E. Frye Cap 1 m ma r
[5-104] {Return of Ratable Polls, 7783. ,]
We the Subscribers Do hereby Certifie that we have this Day
Numbered the Rateable polls of the Male Inhabitants from
Twenty one Years old & upwards of the Town of Newholder-
ness, which we find to Amount in Number to 37 Polls and No
More Given Under our Hands Newholderness December the
8 th 1783
Mich' Dwyer j g^ Men
Samuel Curry j
Grafton ss December 8 th 17S3 The foregoing return was
sworn to by the said selectmen.
Cor. Sam 1 Livermore Chief Justice
[5-105] [Relative to Class for Representative, 1785.^
Sir, this is to certify, that it is our Desire to be Disconnected
HOLDERNESS.
229
with Lincorn, and frankcony, as we are at two great a Des-
tance, to attend their meetings there or they to attend here and
as we Suppose there Is Enough of freeholders in these three
towns, to answer for a Destrict —
We requst, to have our Desires presented to the Court, in so
Doing you 1 oblige your humble Servants —
Andrew Smi
Mich 1 Dwyer
■?}
Selectmen
The number of voters in this town is forty five
New Holderness October 20, 1785
Noah Worcester Esq r
[5-106] \_Major Samuel Shepard recommended for a Mag-
istrate, 1789 '.]
State of New Hampshire
To his Excellency the President and Honourable Council for
the State aforesaid
The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of the Town of New
Holderness and other Towns adjacent Humbly sheweth that a
Justice of the Peace is much wanted in said Town therefore
beg leave to nominate and recommend Major Samuel Shepard
of said Town as a person well quallified and Suitable for that
office who they pray may be appointed thereto and your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound will ever pray &C —
Portsmouth December 23 d 1789
Richard Shepard
John Thompson
Levi Drew
William Hodgkins
Thomas Crawford
Tho s Hill
S. L. Blair
John Shaw
Joseph Cochran
John Whitten
David Blair
Jacob Shepard
William Cox
Jonathan Crawford
David Webster
Samuel Curry
Nath thompson
Edward Senter
David Webster Jun r
Willm Piper
John Shepard
Joseph Shepard
Samuel Bickford
Charles Cox 3 rd
William Hogan
John Lowd
John Cox
Nathanl piper
Jacob Ellison
John Mooney
Andrew Baker
John Bayley
william Plaisted
Mich 1 Dwyer
Sam 1 Shepard
John sweeny
Joseph Senter
Bryan Sweeny
Robert Hill
Charles Cox
Joseph Sheperd
Thomas Sheperd
Stephen Morse
230 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-107] \_Against the Appoi}ztment of Samuel Shepard.']
To the Honourable president and Council of this State —
Whereas there is a petition Circulating in the Town of New
Holderness for Maj. samuel Shepard to be Appointed Justice
of the peace, and whereas the inhabitants of said town have
ben misled to sign said pertition, and whereas the pertitioners
upon a Reconsideration do think that the two Justice, alReady
in town, is sufficient for said town, therefore your pertitioners
do humbly pray, that said shepard may not be appointed — and
your pertitioners will allways pray — &. C.
Joshua Smyth William Smyth Hugh Ramsey
And w Smyth James Smyth John W T hitten
John Clark Archelaus Innis James Cox
John Smith J°bn Innis
Robert cox Caleb Smyth
[5-1 oS] [Petition for the laying out of a Road from Ply-
mouth to Hill, I7Q8.~\
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened —
The Subscribers respectfully shew that a road from Plymouth
Court House across the River into New Holderness and thence
on the most suitable ground near the River through New Hol-
derness and New Hampton and across the River again to the
house of Captain Cutting Feavour in New Chester would be
very useful to the public — That the Laws of this State do not
empower any Court to lay out such Road, the same having to
pass through a part of two Counties — Wherefore they pray the
Legislature to pass an Act authorizing some suitable persons,
at the expence of the petitioners if thought proper, to survey,
and if in their opinion the public good requires it, to lay out
such Road, ordering the Towns respectively to compensate In-
dividuals for damage done by means of the road passing on
their Lands —
Nov r 1798 —
W m Webster Chauncey Holmes Samuel Cook
Israel Blake John Blake David Webster
Rob* Towle G W Livermore A. Livermore
Thomas Bartlet Moody Cook John Lowd
Ebcn r Little William Smyth Samuel Holmes
John Brown John Porter
HOLLIS. 231
HOLLIS.
Thomas Brattle, Jonathan Tyng, and 24 others, petitioned
the general court of Massachusetts, Sept. 15, 1673, O. S.,
for a grant of land on what was then and for many years
thereafter the frontier; and on the 16th day of October fol-
lowing (October 27, 1673, N. S.) received a grant of the
large tract of land afterwards known as the township of
Dunstable, which included nearly all of the present town of
Hollis.
Dec. 28, 1739, the westerly portion of Dunstable was
"erected into a separate and distinct precinct" by the gov-
ernment of Massachusetts, and went by the name of West
Dunstable until April 3, 1746, when in answer to a petition
from the inhabitants about one half of it was incorporated
with full town privileges by the governor and council of the
province of New Hampshire, and named Holies. I think
there can be no reasonable doubt about the origin or
orthography of this name. Benning Wentworth was gov-
ernor of the province, and owed his position to Thomas
Pelham Holies, Duke of New Castle, who was colonial sec-
retary. It is well known that Gov. Wentworth named many
of the towns in this state in honor of his friends, sometimes
when the inhabitants had petitioned to be incorporated with
a name of their own choosing, they preferring to accept a
name which was distasteful to them rather than incur
the governor's displeasure, and perhaps refusal to grant
their charter. As to the orthography of the name of
the Duke of New Castle, I think John Farmer is mis-
taken in writing it Hollis, as there are manuscript docu-
ments in the office of the secretary of state to which the
■duke signed his name " Holies New Castle." That the
town was named for him I think there can be no question ;
and because of his ignorance and detestable character, its
citizens were justified in changing it to Hollis, as they evi-
dently did to perpetuate the name of Thomas Hollis, the
benefactor of Harvard college.
Dec. 13, 1763, the place called One Pine Hill was annexed
to Hollis, thus extending its domains further east. March
30, 1769, a strip was taken from the west side of the town
•one and a quarter miles wide, and with " mile slip " incorpo-
rated into the town of Raby (Brookline). A small addition
232 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
was made to the town May 14, 1773, of land taken from
Dunstable.
On the 17th day of February, 1786, a strip three quarters
of a mile wide, the entire length of the west side of the
town, was annexed to Raby.
Hollis has a record for service in the Revolution not
exceeded by any town of its size in the state, and the town
furnished more than its quota of men for the suppression
of the slave-owners' rebellion. Many eminent men were
born or received their early training in the town: among the
latter was Joseph E. Worcester, LL. D., the lexicographer.
[R. 2-92] [Peter Wheeler's Petition, 1761."]
[In a petition dated "Holies January the 27 th 1761," Pe-
ter Wheeler states that he "was in his Majestys Sarves in
the year 1759 in Cap* Nemiah Lovewells Company in Col°
Zac h Lovewells Regiment, and that your Petitioner was
taken sick about the 23 d day of July at Ticontiroga and sent
down to Albany flats," was sick there, and also on the way
home, where he arrived Nov. 15. He asked for relief, and
was allowed £9, 15, sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2-93]
[Joshua Wright, of Hollis, had a son in the army in 1760,
name not given, who was taken sick and died at Crown
Point. — Ed.]
[5-1 11] [Selectmen's Account for taking an Inventory of
New Ipswich, I/61.']
Persuant to a Precept from the assembly to bring in a True
Inventory of poles Lands &c Signed by M r Clarkston we the
subscribers Select men for the Town of holies have ben to N :
Ipswich & taken a True Invoice according to y c best of our
Judgment we was three Dayes upon s d business & Charge £12
p r Day old Ten r which sum please to pay to Ensign Sam 11 Ho-
bart and you 1 Oblige Y r Humble Serv ts
Holies .5 Ap' .761 Bern- Abbot I Select raen
Total £36-0-0 Abel W ebster j
HOLLIS. 233
[5-1 1 2] \_Petition from Inhabitants of Dunstable to be An-
nexed to Hollis, iy62.~]
Province of Newhamp —
To His Excell y Benning Wentworth Esq Gov 1 " &c of the Prov-
ince of Newhamp : the Hon ble his Majestys Council and As-
sembly of said Province —
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers being Inhabitants
of the North Westerly Part of Dunstable in said Province
Humbly Shews, that your Petitioners Live very Remote from
the Meeting house in said Dunstable (the Chief of us near
Seven miles) by reason of which we cannot Attend the Public
worship of God there without Great Inconveneancey to our-
Selves & Familys and as we Lye very Contiguous to Holies
meeting house where we once belonged and help'd settle a
Minister there before we were Incorporated to Dunstable and
have ever since done Considerable towards his Suport and At-
tended his meeting — Notwithstanding all this we have cheefly
paid our full Proportion towards Preaching in Dunstable when
we could have no Priviledge thereby by reason of the Distance
we Live from there meeting house we have often requested
of Dunstable to Either abate our Minister rate or set us off to
Holies but they Wholley Refues to do either which Constrains
us to make this Application to y r Excel y & Hon 15 Desireing
your Consideration and Aid in y e Premises by freeing us from
Suporting the Gosple where we can have no benefit thereby
and add us to Holies or otherwise as y r Excel 7 & Hon rs shall
see meet and y r Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
&c—
Dated at Dunstable Sep r S : 1762
Amos Phillips Ebenezer Hartshorn Jonathan Hobart
Daniel more John Willoughby David Hobart
Gersham Hobart Joseph ferly Jonathan Russ
Elnathan Blood Benj a Parker James Hobart
[The foregoing petition was from the inhabitants of what
was called " One Pine Hill." It was strongly opposed, and
for the time defeated, by Dunstable. The following spring
the Pine Hill people procured the services of Col. Samuel
Hobart, and renewed the contest. A committee appointed
by the general court went and investigated the matter. It
was a bitter fight, but resulted in the annexation of Pine
Hill to Hollis by an act passed Dec. 13, 1763. — Ed.]
234
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Att a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Holies
March the 5 th 1764 —
Voted to measure east from Holies meeting house to the East
Line of the Town and then measure west from the said Meet-
ing House the Sam Length of line and all to the west by a
north and south line to be sett off to the Mile Strip* So Called
A true Copy p r Sam 11 Cumings Town Clerk
Holies May the : 1 764 —
[5-i H]
Att a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Holies
March the 7 th 176S —
Voted off the West end of the Town according to a Vote of
the Town att their meeting march the 5 th 1764 Provided they
fulfill their obligation that was made Relating the same — and
Messires Sam 11 Farley and Sam 11 Brown has Renewed their ob-
ligation according to said vote
Holies may the 17 th 1768-
Pr. Sam 11 Cumings Town Clerk
[5-1 15] [Appointment of Samuel Farley, Agent, 1768. "]
We the subscribers Inhabitance of the Westwardly part of
the Town of Hollis & the Inhabitance & the freeholders of the
Tract of Land Call d the Mile Slip, in the Province of New
Hampshire do constitute and Appoint Samuel Farley of Holies
Gen 1 to be our agent Attorney and Trustee in our names and
Stead to Petition His Excellency the Governer, the Honour ble
His Majesties Counsel & House of Representatives, That we
the Inhabitance afores d may be set off & Incorporated as a Dis-
tinct Town —
January 6 th 176S —
George rusell
archibald M'intosh
James mcDannell
Thomas Asten
Nathanael Patten
Sam 1 Brown
Samuell Russel
Daniel Shed
William Blanchard
Benj Shattuck
james Conek
mathw Wallis
Jonathan powers
Isaac Shattuck
Swallow Tucker
Robert Sever
Elexander M c intosh Peter Honev
[* A piece of ungranted land between the Masonian grant of Mason and this town, now
in Brookline. — Ed. 1
HOLLIS. 235
Isaac Stevens John Cumings vSam 11 Farley
Simeon Blanchard James Nutting Rose Dicky
Josua Smith Fra s Buttrick william Spaulding
Abegill Spaulding Henery Spaulding Robart Cambell
James Cambell Clark Brown James Nutting Juner
[5-1 16] Petition for the Formation of a New Town, iy68.~\
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Governor & Com-
mander in Chief, in & over his Majestys Province of New
Hampshire, & the Honourable his Majestys Council of said
Province —
Humbly sheweth Samuel Farley of Holies, in said Province,
in behalf of himself, & sundry of the Inhabitants, living in the
westerly side of said Holies, & in a Tract of Land adjoining to
the same, Called the Mile Strip ; that those persons live very
Remote from the Meeting House in said Holies, that to attend
the Publick Worship of God there, is attended with much
Travil.—
Wherefore your Petitioner prays in behalf of said Inhabi-
tants, — that the westerly part of said Holies may be set off, &
Joined to the Tract of Land called the Mile Strip, & be made
a Town (or a seperate Parish from Holies) or otherwise as
your Excellency & Honors shall see Meet, & your Petitioner
as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Dated May 19 th 1768
Sam 11 Farley
[5-109] [Petitio?zfor the Formation of a New Town, iy6g.~\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Captain General,
Governor & Commander in chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire And to the Honourable his
Majestys Councel for said Province —
The Petition of Samuel Farley, in behalf of himself, & a
number of the Inhabitants, in the westerly part of Holies, &
the Mile Strip so called, in said Province humbly sheweth, that
your Petitioners, in the said westerly part of Holies, are so re-
mote from the Centre of said Town, by reason of the distance,
that they cannot attend Town priviledges, without great diffi-
culty & expence, & that the Inhabitants of the Mile Strip afore-
said, are not Incorporated, but are destitute of Town privi-
leges, wherefore your Petitioner Prays as aforesaid, that your
Excellency & Honours would take of the westerly part of Hoi-
236 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
les aforesaid & Incorporate the same together with the Mile
Strip, into a Seperate or distinct Town, with the same Privi-
ledges of other Towns & your Petitioner as in Duty Bound
shall ever pray
Sam 11 Farley
[A plan accompanied the foregoing (Vol. 5, No. noi)
with a description of boundaries as follows : — Ed.]
[5-1 10] [Boundaries of Raby, iy6g.~\
Beginning at a Stake & Stones in the South Side Line of the
Town of Holies which is also the Province Line which Stake
stands about two miles due East from the south west Corner of
said Holies, thence running north by the Needle cross the said
Town to one other Stake & Stones standing in the North Side
Line of Said Holies, leaving the meeting House in said Holies
in the midle between this Line & the East Side Line of Holies,
then running from the last mentioned Stake Westerly by Holies
to the North West Corner thereof then continuing that Line
cross a Tract call'd the Mile Slip to the easterly side Line of
Mason —
thence turning oft' & running south by the Needle on the
easterly side Line of Mason — afores d to the Province Line then
due east partly on the Province Line & partly on the South
Side Line of Holies afore Said to Stake began at
[The foregoing petition was successful, and a new town
was incorporated by the governor and council, March 30,
1769, in accordance with the above described boundaries.
The town was named Raby for a town in the north of Eng-
land, whence came some of its settlers. That town is now
called Brookline. — Ed.]
[5-1 1 S] \_Ag~ree??ient relative to extendi?^ the Town further
East, 1773^
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Holies held
April y e 12 th 1773—
We the Subscribers being a Committee of the Town of Hol-
ies, to Agree with Dunstable, or their Committee, with respect
of extending the easterly line of Holies so far east as to Include
Messers Merrel & Jaquith with their Improvements and to be
Annexed to Holies, in order for an Accomodation with respect
of the Bridge &c
In consequence whereof we have met with Dunstable Com-
HOLLIS. 237
mittee and have mutualy agreed that, the easterly line of s d
Holies be extended eastwardly on the following Bounds, viz
To begin at a stake and Stones about fifteen Rods below Buck-
medow falls at the River which is M r Jaquiths northerly corner,
thence running southerly on a Straight Line to a Pine Tree on
the River bank, wich is said Jaquiths southwesterly corner —
April y e 5 th 1773
John Boynton ^
Reuben Dow V Comt te
Sam 11 Cumingsj
Voted to Except of the Above Report, and the easterly Line
of Holies be extended According to said Bound
A Trew Copy Attest Sam 11 Cumings Town Clerk
[5-1 19] \_Petition of Dunstable Parties to be annexed to
Ho His, i773.~]
Province of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Captain General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Prov-
ince, and the Honourable his Majestys Council, and House
of Representatives in General Assembly Conven d in May
r 773—
The Memorial of the Subscribers Humbly sheweth, that
Your memorialists are Inhabitants in the southwesterly corner
of Dunstable in said Province, that our Situation is so Remote
from the Meeting House in said Dunstable, that we and our
Families cannot conveniently Attend the publick Worship of God
there, by Reason of the Distance ; & that we are about three
Miles nearer to the Meeting House in Holies, then we are to
Dunstable ; that if we & our Lands were Annexed to Holies,
it would be much more for our benefit & Advantage and Your
Memorialists beg leave to Acquaint Your Excellency and Hon-
ours, that Nashua River is the Boundary Line where we live,
between said Dunstable and Holies, that the River there is not
in Either of the Townes, as Dunstable Bounds on the east side,
& Holies on the west side, that a dispute haith Arose between
these two Towns with Respect to Building a Bridge Over said
River, on A Publick Antient Road leading through our Im-
provements, and as the River is not in either of the Towns
where said Road Crosses, so the Bridge could not be built
Unless by Subscription, (as the Bridge built there, by Sub-
scription was Cary d away, by y e water & Ice) or by Applica-
tion to the Legislature, and in order for an Accommadation we
238 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
proposed that if Dunstable would set us off to Holies, and that
if Holies would receive us, that we would do considerable part
towards building said Bridge, over and above our Quota ;
whereupon the said Towns Agreed to accept of our proposals,
and Agreed that we and our Lands should be Annexed to
Holies &c —
Wherefore we pray that Your Excellency & Honours would
be pleased to Attend to our Memorial, and annex and Incorpo-
rate us, and our Lands to and with Holies by the following
lines & Bounds According to our agreement viz. Begining at a
stake & stones on the Bank of the River, standing about fifteen
rods below buck Medow falls so called, which is the northerly
Bound of said Jaquiths Land, thence Running Southerly a
Straight line to a Pine tree on the River Bank, being said Ja-
quiths Southwesterly Corner, thence down the River Including
the same to the place began at ; and that we may be Exonerated
and Discharged from paying any Taxes, and proforming any
Duty's at said Dunstable and that all said Tract of Land Im-
proved and Unimproved, may be made a part of Holies, as
Much to all Intents and purposes as if it had ben within the
Original Boundarys, and Incorporation thereof, and we as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever pray.
April 30 th 1773 Daniel Merril
Ebenezer Jaquith
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
May 14, 1773. A plan of the line is to be found in Manu-
script Vol. 5, No. 121. — Ed.]
[5-1 20] [ Consc?it of Dunstable to the foregoing.~\
At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dun-
stable April the 19 th 1773
Voted that the Easterly Line of Holies be Extended Easterly
to the following Bounds (Viz) to begin at a Stake and Stones
about fifteen rods below Buck Meadow falls at the River which
is M r Jaquiths northerly Corner thence Riming southerly on a
strait line to a Pine Tree on the River Bank which is said Ja-
quiths Southwesterly Corner, according to a Vote of the s d Town
of Holies april the 12 1773: Provided that the s d Town of
Dunstable be forever Excused from any future Cost to Effect
the same, & Building & maintaining a Bridge over Nashua
River at or near s a Jaquiths Mills —
A True Copy, Attest Jo s Whiting Town Clerk
HOLLIS. 239
[5—122] \_Relative to a Uollis man enlisted in Massachusetts
Regiment, 1778. ~\
State of the massachusetts Bay —
In the Hows of Representatives Jan r y e 31 — 1778 on the Pe-
tition of Uriah Wright In Behalf of the Selectmen of the town
of Holies In the State of NewHamp sr setting forth that one
Eli Stiles of Said Holies did Inlist Him Self Into the Service
for the town of Littleton In this State and Wase mustered by
James Barrett Esq r and Receved the Contenantal and this States
Bounty and Whereas said Eli Stiles Is also Inlisted In said
Holies & Reckoned for a Soldier for said town and also Reck-
oned for a Soldier In said town of Littleton —
Resolved that it appears to this Court that the said Eli Stiles
ought to be Considered as a Soldier for the town of Holies he
belonging to said town and Not to be Reckoned for the town
of Littleton and that upon the said uriah Wrights paying back
to James Barrett Esq r both the Contenantal and this States
Bounty the said Eli Stiles be Discharged from being a Soldier
for said Littleton the said James Barrett Esq r to be accountable
to this Court for the Bounties afore Said
Sent up for Concurrence J. Warren Speaker
In Counsell Janwary y e 31 — 1 77^
Read and Concurred — John Avery D y Secrety
Consented to by the ma r Part of the Counsell
A true Copy Attest John Avery D y Secretary
[5-123] \_Relative to Appointment of Officers in the Militia,
1775 '•]
Colony of New Llampshire —
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Holies —
Publickly Notified, Voted Unanimously that this Town accept
& highly Approve of the Plan proposed by the Hon 11 Congress
as a Rule for a General Representation for this Colony in future,
it also represented to this Town that the Hon 11 Congress for s d
Colony propose to Appoint Field officers for the Regiment
lately Commanded by Col Lutwyche,* at their next sessions at
[*Col. Edward Goldstone Lutwyche came with his mother, Mrs. Sarah Lutwyche, to Mer-
rimack in 1760, and occupied a farm and ferry which his mother possessed by a legacy from
a relative. He was an educated man, and by profession a lawyer Wht^n news came of the
battle at Lexington, April 19, 1775, he was in command of the Fifth regiment of the provin-
cial militia, and was importuned by his officers and men to march them against the " com-
mon enemy," which he refused to do, and tried to discourage others from going. Some
time during the night of the 20th of April, he left home clandestinely and joined General
Gage in Boston. He was at Long Island in January, 1777, and probably went to England.
His property was confiscated by the state, and the ferry privdege granted to Hon. Matthew
Thcrnron, signer of the Declaration of Independence; and the locality still bears the name
of Thornton's Ferry — Ed.]
24O EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Exeter, therefore unanimously Voted that this Town beg Leave
to Recomend Col John Hale Esq r as a suitable Person to Com-
mand s (1 Rigement — also Unanimously Voted to Recomend
Major Robart Reed as a suitable Person to be Lieu* Col° of s d
Regiment
Holies Oct r 25 th 1775
A True Copy Attest
William Nevens Moderator
To the Hon 11 Congress
for the Colony of New Hampshire
[5-124] [Relative to the Estates of Absentees, I779>~\
State of Newhampshire Hillsborough ss
To the Hono bl the Consel and General assembley of Said
State—
This Information and Petition of the Select men of the town
of Holies In s d State In Behalf of the town Humbly sheweth
that thair is In this town several tracks of Land that belonged
to the absentees of the State of the massachusetts Bay (Viz)
the one half of five hundred acres that Belonged to Col 01 Will-
iam Brattle In Partnership With andrew oliver Esq r of Salam
and one third of three hundred acres that Belonged to Co 1
William Brown In Partnership With the Heirs of the Late
Colo 1 Brown and a Lot of about fifty or sixty acres that be-
longed to George Curwin of Salam — and s d Land Hase Ben
taxed agreeble to the Law of this State and No Person having
appered to pay the taxes on s d Browns and Brattles Land alltho
the other owners have paid thair part of s d taxes as to Curwins
Land thair Was a Peace of that Sold to pay one years tax and a
Person appears to pay the Rest but We apprehend it is W T ith
Desire to Keep the Land and to Prevent it from falling to the
State Where it belonges and as thair is three years taxes Now
Dew on s d Browns and Brattles Land amounting In the Whole
to the Sum of £52-15-5 With some Cost of advertizing the
two Last years taxes it Being advertised for Sail but the Van-
due Wase stoped as We found out that it Wase Land that be-
longed to absentees and so Would of Cours fall to the State —
the tax Now Due on s d Curwins Land is £10-7-0
Wherefore We Pray your Honors to take the matter Into
your Wise Consideration and Pase Some order Which Way
We Shall Come by said taxes as our taxes are Large and our
Constables are uneasy to be Called on for money and thair be-
ing Some part that thay Cant git and thay think that thay must
HOLLIS. 24I
Sell the Land to Pay s d taxes if No thing is Don In the afair,
and your Petitioners as In Deuty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
Holies October y e 23 — 1779
The Cost of advertising Hase Ben £3-0-0
Noah Worcester ) Select men
Oliver Lawrence \ of Holies
[5-125] [Estates of Hoi lis Absentees, i779-~\
State of Newhampshire Hillsborough ss.
To the Hon bl The Council and General assambley or Com-
mittee of Safety of S d State —
In obedience to a Resolve of S d General assembley Pased
November y e 10-1779 We Doe Inform and Hearby Return that
thair is In the town of Holies The Folowi ng Places and tracts
of Land (Viz) A Farm owned By Benjemine Whitting Esq r
Containg good Buildings and about 50 acres of Land In Several
Peaces the taxes assest thair on Have Ben Reccovered Without
Selling of the Land.
allso a farm owned By Samuel Cumings Esq r Consisting of
good Buildings and about 120 acres of Land the taxes of Which
Have allso Ben got Except £3-9-0- In y e year 1778
allso A Place owned By Breed Batchelder Esq 1 of Packers-
field Containg about 50 aci'es With Some Building thair on the
taxes of Which Have Ben all paid By the Improver
allso 200 acres owned By Co 1 William Brattle In Partnership
With andrew oliver Esq r of Salam
allso 100 acres owned by Co 1 William Brown of Salam In
Partner Ship With the heirs of the Late Co 1 Will m Brown the
taxes of Which are all Due Which are as folowes (Viz)
In 1777 S d 300 acres Wase taxed the Sum of £6-13-6
In 1778 £5- 1-6
In 1779 £39- 0-0
Total £54- 4-0
Holies Janewary y e 14-1780
N B We Had Ben at the Cost of advertsing Olivers and Brat-
tles Land Before We Knew it to Be tory Land
Which Wase £3-0-0
£54-4 Noah Worcester") Select
3-9 Stephen Ames v men of
3- Oliver Lawrence ) Hollis
18
242 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-126] [Account of Sale of Confiscated Counterfeiters' Tools,
1780.-]
Agreable to the order of the General assembley of this State
Pased february y e 12-17S0 the folowing is an account of the
Sail of Sundry articles that I Had In Possion Innumerated In
Said order to Geather With my Bill of Expences (Viz)
The Whole of the articles Sold at Vendue Came to £113-0-0
an account of my Bill of Expences (Viz)
to a Serch Warrent
to my time In Said afair Examining mr farnsworth
and Indeveouring to make further Discoverys
to Cash Paid to the officsor and His assistance In
Several Serches
to a Journey to Esq r Claggets for advice
to my Journey to Exeter
to the Cost of the Vandue
total £1 13- 0-0
Holies Apriel y e 13-1780
Erors Excepted per Noah Worcester
I Rest it with your Honors Wisdom and Generousity Weather
you Will make me any further alowance for the Service I Have
Don the State In my Exerting my Self In order to Detect and
Bring to Light the Said Vile and Distinctive Plan and gitting
Position of a Whole Set of money tools — and Remain your
most Humble Servant
Noah Worcester
To the Hon bl The Counciel and asambley of the State of New-
hampshire
£2-
5-0
6-
0-0
27-
16-0
4-
19-0
62-
0-0
10-
0-0
[R. 2-94] [Petition of Capt. Reuben Dow, iyy8.~\
State of New Hamp r
To the Honorable The Council & House of Representatives for
said State in General Court Assembled at Exeter December
1778.
The Petition of Cap* Reuben Dow humbly sheweth
That your Petitioner animated with a true Zeal to serve his
Countrv Ingaged in the Service of the United States of America
immediately upon the Commencement of Hostilities & had the
honor to Command a Company, & attended his duty in that
Station with great delight & pleasure to himself & to the satis-
faction 8c approbation of the Public
HOLLIS. 243
That on the 16 th Day of June 1775, he together with his Com-
pany with others was ordered to take possession of the ground
near Bunker Hill, & on the 17 th day was in the Heaviest part
of the Battle at said Hill, at which time he had the Misfortune
to be wounded in his right Ancle, by a musket Ball, which
broke & much fractured the Bones, which caused him great
pain & distress for a long time before it was healed — by means
whereof he has lost the use of that joint, which renders him in-
capable of performing his duty in his Station, or undergoing
the fatigues & hardships of the war — & whereby he is prevented
from using and exercising (in a great measure) his usual and
necessary occupation and business, for which he has received
no consideration —
Wherefore he humbly prays your honors to take his case into
your consideration & grant him such relief as your honors
shall see fit, & your Petitioner as in Duty bound ever prays
Reuben Dow
Holies December 20 th 1778
N. B. Cap* Reuben Dow Rec d his pay as Cap* untill the last
Day of Decern 1 " A. D. 1775 —
[The committee on sick and wounded officers and soldiers
reported that he was entitled to half pay for one year from
Jan. 1, 1776, and quarter pay thenceforth until otherwise
ordered.
Captain Dow's company, of fifty-nine Hollis men, was in
Col. William Prescott's Massachusetts regiment. This town
also had four men in Capt. Moor's company, same regiment,
and eight men in Col. Reed's regiment. — Ed.]
[R. 2-95] [Aid to the Family of yacob Danforth, IJ7Q^\
Hollis November y e 15, 1779 Received of the selectmen of
Holies thirty-three Pound three Shillings and three Pence In full
for my travel visits and medicions for the wife of Jacob Dan-
forth one of our Continental Soldiers for three years
Per me. Jon a Fox Physicion
I acknowledge the above Charge of Doc* fox against my Hus-
band Jacob Danforth to Be Just and true
her
Per me Anna X Danforth.
mark
Janewary y e 18-1780
244 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[She also acknowledged the receipt of provisions amount-
ing to £i 14, 9, 6, which she had received at different times
during the year 1779. — Ed.]
[R. 2-96] [Soldiers' Petition for an Allowance for the De-
preciation of their Pay, 7781. ~]
The petition of the subscribers inhabitants of the town of
Holies in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hamp-
shire. —
Most Humbly Sheweth, That in July 1779, there was a Re-
quisition for a number of men to Go into the Continental Ser-
vice for the said Town, and your Petitioners were hired to Go
for one year. * * *
Holies June 9 th 17S1
Caleb Stiles Joseph Stearns Ephraim Pairce
Simeon Foster William Tenney for JerathMeel bowers
[These men served in Col. Moses Nichols's regiment. —
Ed.]
[R. 2-97] [Relative to Lemuel Blood, Soldier, 178 2. ~\
The Deposition of Lemuel Blood of Holies In the County of
Hillsborough and State of Newhampshire of Lawful age who
testifies and says that he was a Soldier In the Contenental army
in the year 17S0 for the term of six months for the town of Hol-
ies and that he was on Command Near North Castle and was
taken prisoner by a party of the Cow Boys so Called on the
Ninth Day of November 1780 and was Caried to New york and
that he made his Escape from the Enemy on or about the tenth
Day of December 17S0 and that he understood that the six
months men was all discharged so that he did Not Return to
Campt to git a discharge But made the Best of His way home
and found all the soldiers that he went with at Home Holies
June y c 15, 1782 Lemuel Blood
[Sworn before Noah Worcester. — Ed.]
[R. 2-98]
[Reuben Blood and William Connick testify as to what
they know about the matter. They were in the service at
the same time, and were discharged Dec. 4, 1780. — Ed.]
HOLLIS. 245
[R. 2-IOO]
[Jeremiah Prichard, " of Holies," states that he was ap-
pointed "adjutant to the First Regiment of the New Hamp-
shire forces in January, 1778, and did that duty until June
following, when a new arrangement took place." He asks
for extra pay for said service. — Ed.]
[R. 2-101] [Soldiers' Orders.~\
[William Hale ordered what wages may be due him for
service in the army, in 1780, to be paid to Augustus Blan-
chard. (Date cut off.)
John Bonner ordered .£24, which was due him for service
in the Second New Hampshire Regiment, in 178 1, to be
paid to Samuel Walker. This order was dated November
23, 1782, and has attached an acknowledgment before Jer-
emiah Pritchard, selectman, dated "Holies, July 26 th , 1784."
—Ed.]
[R. 2-102]
To John T. Oilman Esq 1 * Treasurer for the State of New
Hampshire Pleas'd to pay Daniel Emerson Jr. all that is due
to us for our Service in the Continental army one year (from
July 1779 to July 1780) in Cole 1 Scamil Regiment and his Re-
ceipt Shall be your discharge from us and you will much oblige
your humbel Servants
Holies July y e 5 th 1784
Test Solomon Rogers ) Caleb Stiles Caleb Stiles Jun
Sam 1 Emerson f Ephraim Pairce Grant Powers
his
Simeon Foster Jacob X Hobart
his mark
Joseph X Starns
[5-127] \_Relative to Estate of William Brozvn, an Abseiztee,
1784.-]
in the year 1782 the Land of Col William Brown in Hollis
an Absentee was taxed Seventeen Shillings & two pence one
246 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
farthing — which we pray may be allow'd according to a Partic-
ular act of this State in that Case made &c —
Hollis Ocf 18 th 1784
W m Cumings ) Select
Jeremiah Prichard ) men
*7l 2 l4
Rc d an order on the Treasry lor the above Sum
Daniel Emerson Ju r
[5-1 28] [Relative to tJic Restoration of Monson, 1782. ~]
To the Hon ble Council and house of Representatives to be Con-
vened at Concord in September Anno Domini 1782 —
We the Subscribers or a number of us Subscribed our names
to a petition praying that your honours would Restore the An-
cient Town of Monson to its former Situation as to boundaries,
& that it might be invested with the same powers & immunities
which said town formerly held and Enjoyed — And whereas
upon further Consideration we are well Satisfyed that it will be
a Great Disadvantage to all the inhabitants of the tract of Land
formerly Called Monson if the prayer of said petition should be
Granted, because we Consider that the inhabitants who are set-
tled up thro' the middle of the town are Chiefly new, and pay
but a very small proportion of taxes, as yet, and we see that our
present taxes are heavy, and making new roads from the various
parts of said town to the Centre, together with the many other
Charges to which Towns are Subjected, we are Convinced will
be Exceedingly burdensome —
Wherefore we humbly pray your honours would not Grant
the prayer of said petition, but that you would Altogether Re-
ject the same, and your humble petitioners will ever pray &c.
Holies Septem r 14 th 1782—
David Wallingsford
Rich d Bayley
[5-129] [Petitioners' Tax, 1782.]
The first State Tax for 17S2—
William French J 2, iS, 9,
Tim Emerson J r 1, 2, 6, 1,
Tim Emerson 17, o, 3,
Silas Spaulding — 1, 16, 3, 3,
Jonas Shattuck — 18, 2,
Eben r Gillson 19, 1,
Neh h French
£1, 14,
2 > 3
Benj a Messer
18,
2,
Joseph French
1, 6,
7> 2
Ivory Hovey
*5>
9>
William French
12,
1, 1
01iv r Bowers
1, *7,
10, 1
Jerahmeel Colburn new Comer
£15:18: 7. 2
HOLLIS.
247
'3, 6, 4, John Starns
1, 1,
2, 1
1, 8, 1,2 Jotham Starns-
1,12, 5, 3 Rob' Perkins —
3> 3, 9> 3
1, 16, 11, 1
15.
9,
6, 2
£16, 18,
8, 1
1, 1, 11,
1, 1, 10, 1
15, 9, Total
15, 18,
7. 2
3 2 , i7>
3. 3
David Wallingford £3 ,
Edward Foster —
Starns Needham
Jon a Danforth
Tho s Emerson
Merah m Leamon
Jon. Spaulding
Benj Emerson
The above sums affixed to the Names above written is their
first State Tax for 1782 taken from the Town Records —
Attest William Cumings, Town Clerk
Hollis Nov r 18 th 1
7S2—
The first State
Rob* Colburn — £1, 19,
11, 2
Nath n Colburn — 2, 8,
8,
Dan 1 Bay ley — 2, 8,
Dan 1 Baylev Jr 12,
Dan 1 Kenrick, 4, 18,
5> 2
1, 1
10
Jonas Willoughby 2, 13,
W m Nevins 3, 10,
11
3^ x
Benj Nevins 1, 6,
Tho s Powers 1, 7,
7>3
5> I
Josi Parker J r 19,
Jos. Stearns — 1, 14,
Zacch r ShattuckJ r 1, 9,
4, 2
3^3
8, 1
Tax for 1782—
Rob* Colburn J r £2, 14, 8, 2
Benj Colburn — 2, 15, 1,1
Joel Bayley —
Sam 1 Hayden —
Thad 8 Wheeler
Eben r Farley —
Jos Nevins
oliv 1 * Sanders
Josi Parker —
Jos Eastabrooks-
Zacch 1- Shattuck
Elath 11 Blood J r -
£55' H» 7> 3
The above Sums affixed to the Names above written is their
first State Tax for 1782 taken from the Town Records —
Hollis Nov r 18, 1782—
Attest W m Cumings Town Clerk
18,
2 V
3.
2,
I
3.
2,
9, 2
3>
10,
O, 2
1,
18,
4, 2
2,
2,
6,
5,
1,
6, 1
16,
9<
2,
13.
i>
1 ,
4<
10,
C5-I30]
\_Statement of a Grievance, 1783. ~]
To y e Hon ble Committee of Safety for y e State of New Hamp-
shire —
Gentlemen,
Sensibly Touch'd with a matter of Grievance, I take an Op-
portunity to acquaint your honours with it in as few words as
Possible concerning the Extant issu'd against the Town of Hoi-
248 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
lis which not to impeach the Authority, as a Town we take it
exceeding hard —
not to magnify Our good Deed, we must remind your hon-
ours of our faithfully answering every Requisition thro' a
Series of Hardships in the past Calamitous Times we have not
been Deficient a pound of Beef neither has a man been Want-
ing on our part, even the man in Dispute with what we give
him the Supplies of his family Exclusive of this last Trouble
cannot be computed at less than £100 Lawful money —
Your honours are Sensible of the Grievous burden of Taxes
our People are under which we bear with Patience as appro-
priated in Defence of a Righteous Cause, but add to all this, for
the People of Hollis to bear the Odious name of being Cor-
rected for Deficiency while Innocent, this may it please your
honours causes us to sigh deeply at heart and is it not enough
to fetch Tears from our Eyes You alone Gentlemen can rec-
tify this matter and as the Eyes of Servants are to their masters,
or rather as the Eyes of Children full of Grief, are to their
Tender Parents so our Eyes are to you, while we Esteem it
a Blessing of heaven that we have those at the head of Our
affairs who are ready to hear and we have not in our hearts to
Suppose your honours would willingly see us injured, Where-
fore we implore your kind interposition in this matter which
so nearly concerns us and that no advantage may be taken by
reason of our Papers being out of Our hands for we are not
disputing a Nice Point in the Law nor are we able to for we
are illiterate men and want nothing but Justice if we offend by
Speaking too much we willingly ask Pardon and desire to Ac-
quiesce in your Determination while with duty & Respect we
rest your honours most Obedient & Humble Servants —
Hollis Oct r 21 st 1783.
W m Cumings \ Selectmen of
Solomon Wardwell > of
Ebenezer Jewet J Hollis —
[5-13 1 ] \_Relative to Articles of Confederation, 1783. ~]
Hollis Oct r 13 th 17S3, the inhabitants of the Town of Hollis
aforesaid with the freeholders being met on adjournment after
having maturely debated matters under Consideration —
Voted, that our Representative use his influence in making
the propos'd alteration, respecting the eighth Article in the
Confederation of Perpetual union taken from the Records —
Attest W m Cumings Town Clek
Hollis Oct r 30 th 17S3—
Hon 1 ' 1 Council & House for N. HampE—
HOLLIS. 249
[5-132] [Petition of Certain Persons to be set off to Raby,
1783^
To the Town of Hollis—
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitence of the West-
erly Part of s d Hollis, Humbly Sheweth that by Reson of many
Inconvenences We Labour under by Living in such a Remote
part of Hollis so fare from meting' and at such a Distence from
the other Inhabitence of s d town that We are Depriv d in a great
measure of the prevelege of Schoolling and by Reson of the
Badness of the Rods it is Verey Deficult for sum of us to git
to the Town of Hollis and at sum Sesons of the year it is Even
impracticable Except We first goo into the town of Raby and
travel Sum Ways in the same before We Enter Hollis again —
and as we live much more Compact with the Inhabitence of
Raby and think it mite be more Convenent for us to belong to
the town of Raby to which if we ware set of it is Lickly the
s d Inhabitence of Raby and us your Petitioners mite both Injoy
the preveleges of preaching and Schoolling — &c — in a more ful
and ample manner then Ither thay or us can under our present
Sittuation we theirfore beg you to take our Case into your Wise
consideration & if you in your Wisdom can see fit that you
would give your Consent to have a part of the westerly part of
Hollis set of to Raby — (that is that part that Raby formely ex-
pected) Begining at the Sandy bank so cold at Nissitisit River
and from thence a North pint by the Nedel acrost Hollis which
we humbly conseve would not be a great Dammag to Hollis
But Verey advantagus to the town of Raby — and us your Peti-
tioners
December — 5 — 1 783
James M c Donels Simeon Senter James mcDaniels Jun
jesse parkins Phinehas Bennet Jr Joshua Smith
John Cumings
[The foregoing petition did not meet with success, and
another in similar language, dated " Hollis Oct 1 " 15 — 1785,"
was sent to the legislature, signed by the following men :
James M c Donell Simeon Senter Ebns r Gilson
Jesse parkins Joshua Smith Joshua Smith Jur
Thomas Lawrence Ezekiel Proctor Phinehas Bennet.
The petition was opposed by Hollis, as may be seen by
the following document, but the petitioners, assisted by the
inhabitants of Raby, succeeded in procuring the passage of
an act, Feb. 17, 1786, setting off a strip three quarters of a
mile wide from the west side of Hollis, and annexing the
same to Raby. — Ed.]
250 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5 _I 3^] [ Opposition of Hollis to the Petit iou of Raby, 1785. ~\
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Hollis
Sep' 15"' 17S5
Voted that this Town will oppose the Petition preferr'd to
the Gen 1 Court, by the Town of Rabv, That Daniel Emerson
Esq. be fully impower'd to oppose said Petition, also voted that
Noah Worcester Esq. Cap 1 Dow Ens. Jerem h Ames William
Cumings & Cap* Goss, be a Committee to State the matter fairly
and give said Emerson Instructions in writing relative to the
same, taken from the Town Records
True Copy Attest William Cumings Town Clerk
To Daniel Emerson Esq. Representative for the Town of
Hollis—
Agreeable to the above votes of the Town of Hollis. impow-
ering You to Oppose the Petition of the Town of Rabv, & us
to give you Instructions thereon. You are hereby instructed to
oppose said Petition — in behalf of the Town of Hollis, for the
following Reasons (viz).
first as the said Petitioners represent their Weakness and in-
ability to Support the Gospel or maintain Schools, it cannot be
supposed that the addition of nine families Settled on such a
Tract of Land as they Represent unfit for Cultivation if Grant-
ed could remove the Difficulties of which they complain —
2 d as they represent in said Petition, that they at their Incorpo-
ration had reason to expect some further help from said Town
of Hollis, that we know of no Reason that they had to expect
any such thing unless it was by some mistake in their own
Measure as they themselves measured it before the incorpora-
tion, that the Town of Hollis never measured nor Joined in
Measuring until after the Incorporation, That the Votes of the
Town of Hollis, previous to said incorporation of Rabv were
design'd to fix the meeting House in the Sentre of the Town
east & west, which Votes of said Town were confirmed by the
Charter of the Town of Rabv —
3 d That as they in their Petition request to begin at the Great
Sand Bank so Called, and run a Paralel line with the Town of
Raby opposite to their Northeast Corner, then a closing line to
their Northeast Corner, which if granted will leave a Tract of
land with a Number of inhabitants on the same about two miles
Square, belonging to Hollis, at the northerly end of Raby ex-
tending as far west as the west line of Raby excepting the
width of the mile Strip —
4 th That the meeting-House in Hollis now stands on a plat
of Ground which it seems nature form'd for that purpose being
pleasantly Situated, that the Town has been at a Great Expence
HOLLIS. 251
in laying Out and making Roads to accommodate the same,
which well convenes the Inhabitants from all parts of said Town
That if said Petition should be granted, consequently, the meet-
ing house would not be in the sentre of the Town — which may
probably cause an uneasiness in the Easterly part of y e Town,
which might cause the Town to live in Contention or lay them
under the disagreeable Necessity of building a New meeting
house, and of being at a Vast expence to accommodate Roads,
to the same, which never can be done with that Convenience
that it now is —
Noah Worcester"]
Hollis Sep r 28 th Reuben Dow | Com tee in behalf
17S5 — Jeremiah Ames \- of y e Town of
W m Cumings | Hollis—
John Goss J
[5—133] [Petition for Magistrate, 1784.^
To his Excellency the president and Hon ble Council of the
State of New Hampshire —
We the subscribers principal Inhabitants of the Town of
Hollis, By this our petition
humbly Shew : That whereas the Inhabitants of said Town
are numerous : Business frequently Arises which requires the.
Aid of an assistance of two Justices. Unus Quorum : for wan
of whom we are often put to great Inconveniency besides Trav"
eling to a distance to get our Business accomplished. There"
fore we desire that we might be Indulg'd the priviledge of
having two Justices in s d Town and that one of them might be
of the Quorum ; and as Daniel Emerson Jun r our Representitive
for the time being ; Is a person of Fidelity & Trust universally
esteem'd and one who (we conceive) will give the greatest Con-
tent we beg Leave to recommend him to your favour, And that
he might be appointed and commissioned as a Justice of the
peace ; in Addition to the present, and as In Duty bound shall
ever pray —
Hollis June 2 d 1784 —
William Poole William Read Jacob mooar
uriah Wright Solomon Wardwell Ephraim Lund
Benj a Wright Nathan Colburn Stephen Jewett
William wood Daniel Kendrick Elijah Clark
Daniel Bayley Junr Aaron Bayley Joseph Nevens
Eben Farley Benjamin Farley Jonathan Taylor
Stephen Farley Nehemiah Hardy Joel Bayley
Timothy Emerson jr Ju r Timothy Emerson
252
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Thomas Emerson
Daniel Kendrick
Jur
Isaac Hardy
Abram Boynton
Eliphelet Brown
Caleb Stiles
John Attwill
Joseph Wheat
Nicholas youngman
Nathan Phelps
James Farley
Timothy trench
George Abbott
Benjamin Abbott
Ephram Pirce
Simon perce
David ernes
Francis Powers
Benjamin Emerson
Benj a Colburn
Samuel Havden
Oliver Bowers
Levy Hardv
Joseph Haskell
Joshua Smith
Fiheld Holt
John Willoughby
John Phelps
Sam 11 Jonson
Benj Farley third
Jonas woods
Amos Eastman
Joseph Haywood
Jonathan Dix
Isreel kinney
Joseph Lasley
Abijah Smith
Benj a Astin
Silas Spaulding
Oliver Bowers Ju r
Benjamin Nevens
Jonas Leslie
Francis Blood
Jacob Jewet Ju
Sam Willoughby
Samuel Wright
Lemuel wright
Caleb Farley Jur
W m Cumings
Jonathan Eastman
Josiah Woodbury
Cyrus Proctor
John attwill Jun
William Brooks
[This resulted in the appointment of Dea. Emerson as
requested. — Ed.]
HOOKSETT.
This town was incorporated by an act approved July 2,
1822, and was composed of portions of the towns of Ches-
ter, Dunbarton, and Goffstown ; set off from those towns in
answer to a petition from the inhabitants. The name " Isle
au Hooksett" and "Isle au Hooksett Falls" was attached
to the locality many years before the incorporation and nam-
ing of the town, but the editor is unable to ascertain its
derivation. As long ago as 1746, a pond in the north part
of Chester was called " Isle Hook's pond," by one of Capt.
Ladd's scouts, who says they camped near it. It is now
known as Lakin's pond. I am inclined to think the locality
was named by Indians or Canadian French.
The following documents do not relate to Hooksett as a
town, but to the locality, and for that reason are given in
this place.
A slight change was made in the boundaries of the town
Jan. 5, 1853, when a small tract was severed from Hooksett
and annexed to Allenstown.
HOOKSETT.
253
[5—153] [Joshua Abbott for a Ferry, 1782. ,]
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire in General Court convened at
Concord the 11 th Day of June 1782 —
We the Subscribers inhabiting near Isle a Huckset Falls on
Merrimack River apprehend a Ferry is much wanted at or near
said Falls, which would greatly accommode the Public, and
Joshua Abbott having purchased a Piece of Land and bargained
for a Boat in order to keep said Ferry, Wherefore your Peti-
tioners humbly pray that your Honors would make a Grant of
said Ferry to said Abbott and your Petitioners as in Duty bound
shall ever pray —
Laben Hereman
John Hart
Jonathan
John Carter
Nath a Abbott
Ebene r Hall
Timothy Hall
Abner flanders
Richard flanders
Richard flanders
Olivr flanders
Phenehas
N. C. Abbott
Rob 1 Harris
Benja Hanaford
Enoch Brown
Nath Green
Daniel Hall
John Blanchard
Richard Aver
William mestin juner
Moses Carter
William Fifield
John Odlin
Samuel Davis
Bruce Walker
Joseph Carter
William Brown
Brown John
John Can-
Si meon Carr
Dan Stickney
Sm 11 Willard
Thomas Cochran
Francis Mitchell
Daniel Brown
Ephraim Kinsman
James Moor
Ephraim moor
Moses moor
Luther Clay
Tim Walker Jun r
Joshua Abbott
Daniel Abbott
Joseph Abbot
David george
Aaron Stevens
Stephen farington
Timothy Bradley
Enoch Coffin
Philip Abbott
Nathan Green
Paltiah
Stephen Hall
Joseph Haseltine
Thos Stickney '
Thomas Chandler
Samuel Farrington
Ephraim Colby
James Walker
Stephen Abbot
Stephen Kimball
Benj n Fifeld
Robert Davis
Micah Flanders
Daniel Carter
[Mr. Abbott did not obtain the grant. — Ed.]
[5-154] \_Dustin and Martin for a Ferry, 1782.']
To the Honourable the Council and Assembly of the State of
New Hampshire Now Convened at Concord In said State —
We the Petitioners John Dusten & Daniel martin of Chester
In the County of Rockingham in said State humbly sheweth
that your petitioners has Lived many Years In said Chester on
the Bank of merimack River In such asituation for keeping a
254 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Ferry, as Is Very convenient to accommodate a great Number
of the Inhabitants of GofTestown Dunbarton and of many other
towns a bove who have Occasion to travil to the Lower Part of
this and the massachusetts State that highways have been Laid
out by the town Joining on both Sides of the River to said
Place and well made and Repaired and that Your Petitioners
has been at a considerable Expence In building and maindening
of boats and giving constant attendance to Ferry People across
for more than sixteen years when the profets was Very Incon-
siderable and In Nowise Equal to the Expence and that there
is now considerable traviling and dayly increasing Being found
to be Very advantageous to the publick and that your Petition-
ers suspects that a petition will be prefered to your Honours
for a Licence to keep a ferry on said River about two or three
miles up said river from where your petitioners keeps their
ferry (where there are no Roads Laid out on neither side of
the River to the place) with an Intent to prevent your petition-
ers from any profit by their ferry wherefore your petitioners
humbly prays that you would grant them a Licence to keep a
ferry where they now Does and that if a petition shall be pre-
fered as Suspected that you would Dismiss the same or appoint
a Commitee In the Vicinity to View the place proposed for a
ferry with the place for Roads on both sides of the river as well
as your petitioners ferry and the Roads leading to and from the
same and make Report that your petitioners may have an op-
portunity of appearing on Any future day you may appoint to
shew cause and your petitioners as in duty bound will Ever
Pray —
Chester June 14 th 1782 J omi Dusten
Daniel martin
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 19, 1782, a committee having viewed
the premises reported in favor of establishing the ferry asked
for by Dustin and Martin, instead of the one asked for by
Mr. Abbott, and a vote giving leave in accordance therewith
passed the assembly. The locality is still known as Mar-
tin's Ferry. — Ed.]
[5-155] [McGrcgore and D?incan for Exclusive Privilege
of Locking Hooksett jFalls, 7794.']
To the honb ,e the Senate and house of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire, convened at Exeter on Wednesday
the 25 th of Dec. 1793. —
Humbly shew your petitioners, that they conceive the advan-
tages arising from canals opened round the falls of Rivers in a
HOPKINTON. 255
Country of such vast extent as ours, and at a great distance
from the sea-ports, to be almost innumerable. That the enter-
prize and public spirit of the present age, have afforded ample
proofs of this, and have inspired your petitioners with an in-
tention of commencing a work of such universal utility. That,
should the river Merrimac, as is projected, be made navigable
for boats, timber &c from its mouth, round Amoskeig-falls ;
the benevolent intention of the legislature would be rendered
quite useless, unless a canal was also cut, for that purpose, by
Isle-a-hooksett-falls, upon the same river and above the said
falls of Amoskeig. Your petitioners are sensible that an un-
dertaking of this nature is hazardous and expensive, and at-
tended with almost insurmountable difficulties. — But that the
public may be accommodated with a work of such obvious
utility, your petitioners have resolved, with the encouragement
of the legislature, to cut and perfect a canal round the said
Isle-a-hooksett-falls with all possible deligence. —
They therefore pray, that this honorable body would grant
to them the exclusive privilege of cutting a canal round said
Isle-a-hooksett-falls, for said convenient purpose of navigating
boats, timber &c, by said falls with safety and dispatch ; and
that they would allow them such reasonable toll to compensate
their trouble and expence as they may think proper. And that
they may have leave to bring in a bill accordingly. And as in
duty bound will ever pray. —
Exeter January I st 1794. — Robert M c Gregore
William Duncan
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 4, 1794, the petitioners were granted
leave to bring in a bill. Subsequently the privilege asked
for was granted, and the same was extended in 1797. — Ed.]
HOPKINTON.
This town was granted by the government of Massachu-
setts, Jan. 16, 1735, and was No. 5 in the "line of towns"
granted by that province on territory which the settlement of
the line in 1741 decreed to be in New Hampshire. The grant-
ees were men of Hopkinton, Mass , and this township was
called New Hopkinton until it was incorporated by the gov-
ernor and council of New Hampshire, Jan. 10, 1765.
John Jones, of Hopkinton, Mass., was authorized, Nov.
256 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
24, 1736, by the general court of that province to call a
meeting of the grantees of No. 5.
The grant of this town covered some of the territory con-
tained in the grant to Bow by the government of New
Hampshire in 1727, and trouble arising in regard to collect-
ing the province tax, an act was passed Dec. 13, 1763, de-
creeing that Abel Kimball, Timothy Kimball, Timothy
Clements, Eliphalet Colby, Green French, John Chadwick,
Abraham Kimball, Jeremiah Kimball, James Kimball, Moses
Straw, Jonathan Straw, John Eastman, William Peters,
Hezekiah Foster, Jeremiah Kimball, Jr., Thomas Jewell,
Reuben Kimball, Daniel Watson, Obediah Perry, Joshua
Bayley, John Kimball, John Jewell, Parker Flanders, Isaac
Colby, Thomas Hoit, the widow Susanna Kimball, and
their estates, which were within the limits of Bow grant,
should be joined to the " District of New Hopkinton."
(See Vol. IX, p. 406.) A house was built "near the meet-
ing house spot" by Henry Mellen, prior to Sept. 30, 1738,
as a proprietors' meeting was called to be held in his house
at that time.
Among the early settlers was John Jones, who settled in
the westerly part of the town. Aaron Kimball from Brad-
ford, Mass., came about 1739, and built a fort about a mile
east of the present village of Hopkinton. He was the father
of Abraham Kimball, the first white male child born in
town. Samuel and John Putney, from Amesbury, Mass.,
built a fort on what is known as Putney's Hill. David
Woodwell came from Hopkinton, Mass., and built a fort
near the location of the present village of Contoocook ; the
place is identified by the depression made in excavating the
cellar. It was surprised by Indians in April, 1746, and
eight persons captured. The first minister was James
Scales ; the second, Elijah Fletcher, from Westford, Mass.,
ordained Jan. 27, 1773. His daughter, Gratia, was the first
wife of Daniel Webster.
The township was within the bounds of " Mason's Patent,"
and was regranted by the Masonian Proprietors, Nov. 30,
1750, to Henry Mellen and others, but for what considera-
tion is unknown.
The legislature held sessions in this town in 1798, 1801,
1806, and 1807 ; and it was for some years one of the shire
towns of Hillsborough county, prior to the formation of
Merrimack county in 1823.
HOPKINTON. 257
The reader is indebted for much of the foregoing to
C. C. Lord, Esq., who kindly furnished the editor with an
able article, the result of much research, from which ex-
tracts have been made.
[5-152] [Petition for the Privilege of having a Repre-
sentative, i773-~\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Captain General, and
Governour in chief, in and over his Majestys Province of
New-Hampshire ; And \ice Admiral of the same —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Hopkinton, in the County
of Hillsborough in the Province of New -Hampshire aforesaid,
in Town-Meeting assembled, on Thursday the twenty eighth
Day of October, Anno Domini 1 773' ana " m the fourteenth Year
of his Majesty's Reign, humbly Sheweth —
That whereas your humble Petitioners think it would be an
Advantage to them to be represented in the great General Court
of this Province by a Man of their own Town, and of their
own chusing. Therefore we humbly pray that your Excellency
w 7 ould, in your great Goodness grant us the Liberty & Privilege
of chusing & sending a Man to the General Court for that Pur-
pose, now, and for the future — For which Goodness, Your
humble Petitioners, for your Excellency, as in Duty bound
shall pray —
Voted in the said Meeting, That Capt n John Putney prefer
the above Petition to his Excellency the Governour.
Joshua Bayley* Town Clerk
Isaac Chandler^ Select men of Hopkinton
Joseph Putney > in the Name & Behalf
John Putney ) of the Town
L5-151] [Relative to the Pormation of Counties, iy/2.~\
To his Excellency John Wintworth Esquirer Captain general
and governour in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the Same —
To the Honourable his Majestys Council And to the Honour-
able House of Representatives in general Court Assembled —
The Petition of the Inhabitants and free Holders of Hopkin-
*Joshua Bayley came from Plymouth, Mass., prior to the incorporation of the town, and
settled about a mile east of the present village ; commanded a company at Bennington ; was
at Stillwater in 1777, and in the Rhode Island expedition in 1778. He died April 9, 1806, at
the age of 68.— Ed.
258 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ton in the County of Hillsborough and Province aforesaid hum-
bly Sheweth That whereas some Defficulty has arisen of Late
among us in this town which we cannot decide our Selves and
which we think Requires the Wisdom and Authority of the
Honourable general Court to adjust and Determine. We there-
fore your Humble Petitionors hereby apply our selves to your
Excellency and your Honours with all Humillity for Direction
and help — Our Difficulty began Emediately after the Publica-
tion of an Act of the Legislature of this Province approved of
by his Majesty in Council for Dividing said Province in Coun-
tys which after following the first County Line, from the mouth
of Piscatqua River Round to Concord Line (It says) Thence
Round the westerly lines of Bow Concord and Pembroke to
Merrimack River — which if it means the westerly line of Bow
as it was first laid out or the Line to which we the Inhabitants
of said Hopkinton purchased — Then it will Nessacarily follow
that all that Part of said Hopkinton which was within Bows
Claim is in the County of Rockinham and then said Hopkinton
is divided part into the county of Rockingham and part into the
county of Hillsborough which makes a great difficulty respecting -
our town affairs therefore we your Humble Petitioners Earnestly
pray that your Excellency and your Honours would be gra-
ciously pleased to take the matter into your Judicious Consid-
eration and Resolve us in this thing (Viz) Whether your Hon-
ours ment or Intended that all Hopkinton agreeable to their
Incorporation should be in the County of Hillsborough or
Whether you Intended that all that part of Hopkinton that was
formerly in Bows Claim Should be in the County of Rockin-
ham if the former we are fully satisfied but if y e Latter we
humbly Beg that your Exelency and Honours would so order
and Determine that all our said town may be in the County of
Hillsborough and that we may be all one as we were agreeable
to an act of the Honourable General Court in January 1765 by
which act all that part of said Hopkinton that was within Bows
Claim was separated from said Bow and was joined with and
United to said Hopkinton to all Intents and Purposes for which
Favour your Humble Petitionors for your Exellency and Hon-
ours as in Duty bound shall ever pray —
Dated at Hopkinton May y e 8 th 1772
Signed by
John Putney "^ A Committee apointed
Isaac Chandler | by and in the name
Abel Kimball i and behalf of the
Joshua Bayley I town of Hopkinton
James Scales J
HOPKINTON. 259
[In H. of Rep., May 27, 1772, "Voted that the whole of
said Hopkinton be determined to belong to the County of
Hillsborough."
Council concurred. — Ed.]
[5-150] \_Proceedings of a Town- Meeting, I 1 / "J2.~\
At a meeting Legally Cold and Held at the meeting House
in Hopkinton on thirsday the 2 Day of January 1772 at one of
the Clock in the afternoon then Vote on the folewing articles
1 Voted that Capt Putney moderator to Regulate Said meet-
ing
2 Voted to send a man to Portsmouth to See if the Town is
Devided in to two Countys
3 Voted that Leiu* Jonathan Straw Should be the man that
is to Represent the Concarns of the Town to the Gineral Court
with a Petition to have all of the Town in one County
4 Voted that James Scales Esqu r Cap* Putney Leiu* Chandler
Abel Kimbal and Joshua Bayley be a Committe to Sine a Pe-
tition in the Towns be-half to Send to the Gineral Court
a true Copy taken of from the Records By me —
Joshua Bayley Town Clerk
Hopkinton may 25 1 77 3
[5-149] [Relative to the Formation of Counties, 1772. ~\
Province of New-Hampshire Hopkinton, May 25 th 1772.
Pursuant, and in Obedience to an Order of the General As-
sembly of this Province, bearing Date May 20 th 1772, brought
hither by Lieu* Jonathan Straw 7 of this Town, last week ; Said
Order having Reference to a Petition, signed by a Committee
of the Inhabitants of said Hopkinton, & presented to the Gen-
eral Assembly by the said L* Straw ; said Petition bearing Date,
May 8 th 1772. I Joshua Bayley One of the Committee that
signed the said Petition, served the major Part of those of the
Inhabitants of Hopkinton who live within the Township of
Bow with the said Petition and Order, by reading both to them ;
and then leaving a Copy of the said Petition with one of them,
viz. m r John Jewett.
And we, Nathan 1 Clements, & Timothy Farnham of said
Hopkinton, went with the said Joshua Bayley, from House to
House among the Inhabitants of said Hopkinton who live
within the Township of Bow, and heard the said Bayley read
260 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the said Petition, and Order to the Major Part of said Inhabi-
tants ; on Saturday the 23 d day of this instant May ; and on this
25 th Day, in the Evening of said Day, we saw the said Bayley
deliver a Copy of the said Petition and Order to m r John Jew-
ett, aforesaid, to be left with him the said John Jewett
Joshua Bayley
Nathaniel Clement
Timothy Farnham
[Sworn to before James Scales. — Ed.]
[5-148] \_Capt. Stillson relative to Soldiers, J'/y6.~\
Hopkinton July the 19 th 1776
S r I, Can Inform you that m r Hoit has Enlisted Fourteen
men, and they have passed muster and Paid by Colonel Walker,
as the men Chuse him for an Officer and to go With me, I un-
derstood by your Honours that any man that wou'd Enlist a
Num br Sufficient should be intitled to a Commission, it is Reck-
on'd he can Git a Num br more if he Can be Sure of a Com-
mission
From your Hum be Servant —
W m Stillson
To Coll n meshech Ware
[5-147] \_yokn Hale decli?ies the Appointment of Major,
J777-~\
Hopkinton March y e 3 d 1777 —
Hon d Sir—
I am informed by Cap* Livermore that you have wrote me
two Letters neither of which has com to hand I acknowledg my
self much indebted to you for the Hon r you have done me in
appointing me to the office of maj r — when I consider the im-
portance of the post & how much I fall short in filling it my
Excepting would rather Injure then help that Service which I
have much at heart. I am also settled in a New Country Dis-
tant from Neighbors & must be under the Disagreeable necesa-
tity of breaking up house keeping which will almost put me in
a ruinous Condition. Humbly beg you d be pleased to appoint
Some other person in my Room & am Gentleman your most
obedient & very Humble Sen 4 — J onn Hale —
HOPKINTON. 26l
[5-146]
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable Council and Assembly Convenied at Exe-
ter —
May it please your Honours your Humble Petetionor having'
Lately come out of the Service of the United States with his
two sons and wanting Lands to Settle on has taken up three
hundred acres of Land one hundred for himself and one hun-
dred for each of his said sons on that tract of Land called Fish-
ersfield which was Granted to John Fisher Esq r who is Sup-
posed to be an enemy to the Glorious Cause of Liberty now
Contending for by the United states of America — and as such
your Humble Petetionor Supposes that the Lands of the said
Fisher will be forfited to this State and of Consequence be dis-
posed of by the Authority of the same should this be the Case
and the Matter come Under your Honours Judicious Consider-
ation your humble Petetionor prays that he and his sons may
be Quieted in their Possessions and be considered as Settlers
or have the Liberty of purchasing their lands as wild Lands
without Its being Exposed to Publick Sale — And your humble
Petetionor as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Hopkinton May y e 14 th 1778
Timothy Clements
[The foregoing was dismissed. — Ed.]
[5-145] \_Remonstrance to the Appointment of Benjamin
Wiggin, 1785.^
To His Exelency —
President for the State of New Hampshire ; — and to His
Hon 1 ' Privy Council ; —
We Y r Petitioners humbly sheweth ; That whereas the Town
of Hopkinton, has Been Very Unanimous In the Cause of
America, in Y e Late struggle with Greate Britton Except A
few Persons, who always in Discourse and Actions Seemed to
Us ; To favour Britton and to be Against the Causes of Amer-
ica ; and we Understand one of those person Are in Nomin'tion
to Bee A Magistrate in this Town, Viz ; M r Benjamin Wiggin ;
if he Should Attain to that Office We think would be Very
Disagreeable to the People of this Town in General, therefore
Our Petition to Y r Exelency and Hon 8 is that You would Neg-
lect putting the Above Named M r Wiggin into Office ; and in
Sted Thereof Would Grant S d Office to Some person Which
262
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
has Appear d to be A steady Good friend to his Country,
Y r Petitioners As in Deuty Bound Shall Ever Pray. —
Hopkinton Nov r 2 nd 17S5.
-and
Peter How
John Chadwick
Eliphelet colby
John Clement
Moses Gould
Jonathan Chase
David Kimball
Elias Gould
Robert Knowlton
William D : Colby
Joseph Chandler
Thomas Webber
Stephen Harriman
Thomas Bayley
Jonathan Straw
Abel Kimball
Jacob Straw
David Fellows
Henry Blake
John George
Enoch Long
John Putney
Enoch Eastman
Isaac Chandler
Joshua Morse
Isaac Bayley
Enoch Long J r
Samuel Chase
[5-144] [Petition for the Appointment of Benjamin Wig-
gin as a Magistrate, iy86.~\
To his Exellency John Sullivan Esq r President of the State of
Newhampshire and to the Honourable Privy Council in
Concord Convean'd
Whereas Wee your Humble Petitioners understand that M r
Benj a Wiggin of Hopkinton hath been on the List for a Justice
of the Peace but as yet hath not been appointed to the Dissa-
pointment of us your humble Petitioners and perhaps Many
others, alltho there are two Justices of the Peace in Town all-
ready yet Wee humbly Conceive it to be Convenient to have
one more and as M r Wiggin in our opinions is as Well Qualli-
fy'd as any Person in town in a Convenient Situation and a
person well Dispos'd humbly pray he may be appointed Justice
of the peace and Wee as in Duty bound Will Ever pray
Hopkinton 14 th June 1786
Jaems Emerson
Benj thurber
Rich d Cresy
John Ardway
Caleb Burbank
Moses Titcomb
William putney
Joshua Clement
Jon" Herrick Ju e
moses Clement
John Farnham
Noah Pearson
francis thurber
William Stanley
John Ardway Jur
Thomas Bickford
Lawrence M c Laugh-
lin
David Clement
James Buswell
John webber
James Smith
Timothy farnham
John Currier
Ralph Cross
John Eastman
Joseph ardway
Joseph Putnee
David Young
Nathaniel Clement
Nicholas C Buswell
Tappan Evans
Daniel Stickney
Jons Clough
HOPKINTON.
263
'£5-143] [Another Petition in favor of Wiggin, iy86.~\
To his Excellency John Landon Esq" Presedent of the State of
New hampshire and to the Honourable Privy Council Next
Sitting at Portsmouth
Whereas We your Humble Petitioners are Informed that there
was a Petition Prefered to your Excellency and your Honours
:at your Last Sessions at Concord Intimating that M r Benj a Wig-
gin of Hopkinton Was unfrindly to the Cuntrey in the Late
war Which wee Believe to be groundless wee Never Knew but
that m r Wiggin freely and Voluntarily offerarded his assistence
through the whole war Nither do wee know of aney unfriendly
act by him Perpetrated but in our opinions is well disposd and
in Some good measure quallifyd and wee your Humble Peti-
tioners Pray that he may be appointed Justice of the Peace and
wee in duty Bound will Ever Pray
Hopkinton 24 th January 1786
William Morison
phinehas Campbell
•simeon pope
JMoses Adams
Jo s Marsh
Samuel Barr
Oliver Noyes
Thomas Brown
David morrill
Daniel Tyler
JMicah How
Jesse Campbell
Benjamin Currier
Joseph Lewis
Jonathan Parrish
John Morrill
Wheeler Wilder
Samuel Kimball
Jn° Goodenow
John Tucker
Elisha Barns
Luke Eager
Nehemiah How
Nathaniel Joslyn
Edw d Hunter.
JoB Campbell
Noah Amsden
Benj n Hoyt
Eben herrimen
Nathan Putney
Frances griams ior
Ephraim morril
David Bowman
Joseph Gibson
William Sawyer
Joseph Eager
Jonathan Sawyer
Joshua Heath
Eben r Howe
Francis Whittiar
Levi Kemp
William Chambers
Samuel Dunlap
John Campball
Win Partrick
Joshua Wright
Elijah Kemp
Gideon Adams
[On another petition, No. 141, of same date, and for the
same purpose, are the following names : — Ed.]
John Tewksbury
Timothy Wiley
Nathaniel Fifield
Archibald Stinson
Jn° Webber
Da v Young
John Currier
-Aquila Davis
Isaac Babson Laurence M c Laugh-
Jacob Stanly lin
James Hogg Jn° Chadwick Jun r
Wil m Tenny William Stintson
Jonathan Allenjuner Thomas Stickney
Isaac Long Jonathan alien
Tappen Evans Moses Titcomb
James Wallace David Bagley
264
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Si mean Eastman
Jams Emerson
Nathaniel Eaton
Joshua Eaton
Timothy Farnham
John 8 Farnham
ralph Cross
William Stanly
Ezzra waldron
Rich d Cressey
Tim° Gibson
Henry Eastman
Sargent Currier
John Easman
Benjamin Thurba
francis thurber
Noah Pearson
James Clough
Ezra tucker
Ebenezer Virgin
W m Tyler
[Benjamin Wiggin came from Stratham in 1774, and kept
a tavern, in front of which a reception was given to Gen.
LaFayette when he visited this state, as says C. C. Lord,.
Esq. — Ed.]
[5-142] [Petition i7i Favor of Lieut. J-oshzia Morse, iy86.~\
to His Excellency President of the State of New Hampshire
and His most Honr 11 Privy Council. — ■
we y r Petitioners Inhabitants of the town of Hopkinton
Humbly Sheweth that we Understand that Several Persons of
this Town are in Nomination for the office of a Majestrate and
Likewise that Neither of them are as yet Commision d therefore
our Petition to your Excellency and Hon" is that the office may
Be Granted to Lieu* Joshua morse as we are well Sattisfied as-
to the Abilites and Qualifications of the Gent 11 man above
Named for office also we Beg Leave to Inform y r Excellency
and Hon rs that in the time of the Late Contest with Great Brit-
tan he always appeared to Be a steady friend to the Glorious
Cause of our Independence Likewise may it Please y r Excel-
lency and Hon rs for y r further Sattisfacton as to the Carrector of
the Gent 11 man we y r Petitioners Shall take it as a favour that
you will be Pleas d to Consult our Representative at the Next
Sessions and Hearby we flatter our Selves that Every obstable
may Be So far Remov d from y r minds as to Commission him as
Soon as may Be Consistant with the Rules and Regulations of
our Constitution and we your Petitioners as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever pray
David Kimball
Samuel Jewett
Eliphclet Colby
Robert Knowlton
Levi Hildreth
Josiah Smith
Jonathan Quinby
Henry Blake
John Trussel
Abel Kimball
Nemiah Colby
Josiah Nickels
Stephen Jewett
Ezekiel Knowlton
Moody Smith
Isaac Qiiimby
Daniel Herri ck
Peter Darling
Enos hunt
Richard Webber
Green french
Abraham Kimball
Isaac Cheney
Jonathan Herrick Se r
Nathaniel merrill
Smith Kimball
William Colby
HOPKINTON.
265
Jonathan Herrick Ju 1
Timothy Darling
Nathaniel Kimball
Moses Hills jun r
Moses Trussell
John thing Connor
Jeremiah Story
Nathan Story
Ezra Hoyt
Jacob Straw
Stephen Smith
Ephraim Colby
John Kimball
Elijah Durgin
thomas Webber
Thomas Bickford
Moses Gould
Benjamin Homes
Moses Chase
David Clousfh
Joseph Burnham
Samuel kimball
moses Emerson
Samuel Chase
Jonathan Chase
Jonathan Allen Ju
Joseph Story
Isaac colby
John Hoyt
ZabuLon Norris
Joseph colby
Caleb Smart
Joseph Smart
Samuel Straw
Jeremiah Story Jun
william putney
Enoch Eastman
Samuel Harris
Thomas Story
Enoch Long j r
Moses Darling
Gideon Gould
Jonathan Straw
Peter How
Daniel Tenny
Zechariah Story
Jonathan Allen
Joseph Colby
John Boynton
Samuel Farington
Benning Smart
James Straw
Marl Morrill
John gage
Joseph putney Jr
Elijah Homes
Joseph Barnard
Nathaniel Rowell
[5-140] [Another Remonstrance to Mr. Wiggin.~\
To his Excellency the President of the State of New Hamps hr
and his Honorable Councel
it being the earnest desire of a great number of Good men in
Hopkinton that I would write to your Excellency on a Matter
that much disturbs the greatest part of the People in Hopkinton
is a Petetion which has been Spread in this and the Naboring
Towns Last weak i Could wish only to have the matter farely
Stated to your Excellency as I trust it will be by Lt Darling So
that the authority of the State may not be imposed upon by
having Petitions Prefered to them : that was handed about and
Signed on public Days over a Cup of groog this being the
meathod that was taken to obtain the greater part of the Signers
that is in favor of M r Benjamin Wiggin being on the Sivel List
and as this Petetion in fave of M r Wiggins refers Back to one
that was Sent to your Excellency and Honarable Council when
Seting at Concord which Petetion was Signed by Sum of the
Principel men in Hopkinton thay Could have had the Cheeafof
the men in Hopkinton to have Signed it if thay had thought
Proper those men that Signed the Petetion that wos prefered to
your Excellency when at Concord is able and ready to Support
what thay then Charged m r Wiggins with if M r Wiggins Sign-
ers Could make out that he ever did any thing that appeared
266 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
frindly to this State through the war it would Be in his favor,
as Hopkinton went through a teados war without the help of
this Valuable Wiggin it is thought that we Can do with out
him it is the Prayer of many that M r Aaron Greeley may Be
Honered with a Commission of the Peace it is most Likely to
me that he may Sarve the Public the Best of any man in Hop-
kinton
Hopkinton February i : 1786
I have the honour to Be your Excellency & Honnors most
obedia n and Humbell Sarvant
Joshua Bailey
[The foregoing documents not only contain the names of
probably nearly all the men in town, but show the earnest
endeavors put forth by the men of those times for the office
of justice of the peace. — Ed.]
[R. 2-103] [Enlistment Papers, 1776.]
Hopkinton Septem 1- 17, 1776.
We the Subscribers do volintarly inlis into the Continall
army to sarve at new york till the first Day of December next
insuing to Sarve as Solders under the Command of Such Cap-
tain and See Boltens as Shall Be appointed By the Field Offi-
cers of this Rigement as witness our Hands
William Darling Ezekiel Straw Jacob Hoyt
Timothy Darling Nathaniel Kimball Benj Bach dr Darling
William Godfree Sargent Currier
Elias gould Gideon Gould
[R. 2-104] [Depositions relative to Service in the Army.~\
Then Jacob Tucker of Warner Thomas Story William Clem-
ent Joseph Standley Thomas Bigsford Abner Colby Joseph
Putney Jonathan Putney Ebenezer Eaton of Hopkinton all in
the State of New Hampshire and County of Hillsborough
yeomen Parsonally appeared and Being Duly Examined and
Corshened maid Solem Oath that thay Sarved as Soldiers in
Cap* William Stilsons Company and Colo Isaac Wymans
Rigement at mount independence in the year 1776 and that
thay Never Receivd any Saus money for the whole of the time
that thay were in Said Wymans Rigement and that for the
HOPKINTON. 267
month of November thay Never Received any wages nor travil
money Horn Direct nor inderect
Examined and Sworn before
Joshua Bayley Jus* Peac
Hopkinton Novemb. 7: 1777
[Jacob Waldron of Warner and Stephen Hoyt of Hop-
kinton made oath before the same justice that they " Sarv-
ed as Saboltens in Cap* William Stilsons Company at
mount independent in the year 1776." Dated Hopkinton,
November 8, 1777. — Ed.]
[R. 2-105]
[Reuben Trussell, who was wounded at Bennington, was
allowed ^23, 12, 4, October 31, 1778, for doctors' bills, etc.,
and placed on half pay from September 19, 1777. — Ed.]
[R. 2-106] [Enlistments, 1781.]
Hopkinton September 20: 1781.
S r agreeable to your orders I have inlisted Seven Men to
Serve three months theare names as follows
Moses Colby Stephen Putney Samuel Eastman
Richard Smith Moody Clement Daniel Stickney Jur.
of Hopkinton and David Stickney of Concord
the men have marched this day
Joshua Bayley
To Col Thomas Stickney of Concord
[R. 2-108] [ Certificate of Soldiers Mustered, i/ r Si.']
This May Certify that Tim y Farnham Abraham Currier John
Eaton has this 5 Day of April pas d Muster for the Town of
Hopkinton for three years & Benj a Cresey the 6 april pas d Mus-
ter for three years for the town of Hopkinton & that Ephraim
Hildreth, Sam 1 French, Michael Stocker, John Robinson has
pas d Muster for the Town of Hopkinton Dureing war with
great brittain all Mustered at Amherst ye 5, &, 6, of April
1781
Moses Nichols M Master
To whom it may concearn
268 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-1 1 1] \_Petition of Joseph Marsh, Soldier, 1787.]
Your Pertitioner Humbly Shevveth that he Inlisted into Cap*
Daniel Runnels Company and Cor 1 Nathaniel Peabodys Rige-
ment in the years Sarvice in the Expedition at Rhode Island in
the year 1778 and when he received his wages it was of but
Very little value to what the same was when he Inlisted * * *
Hopkinton June 13, 17S7
Joseph Marsh
[In June, 1778, £4.2$ of continental paper money was
equal to ,£100 in silver. In June, 1779, it took ,£1,342 of
the former to equal ,£100 of the latter. Marsh petitioned
to have it made up, but for some reason the petition was
11 dismissed." — Ed ]
[R. 2-1 1 2] \_Petition of Sa?nuel French, Soldier: addressed
to the General Court, 1787.^
Humbly shews Samuel French of Hopkinton in the County
of Hillsborough and State aforesaid, that he your Petitioner in
the year 17S1 Inlisted into the Continental Service in Cap* Mo-
ses Dustins Company and proceeding on his march to White
plains, from thence I was ordered to March to Mohawk River
and was there taken by the Indians and carried beyond Canada
and has remained a prisoner ever since June 1782 until March
last, when he returned Home — for all which he has received no
compensation Wherefore your Petitioner Humbly prays that
this Honb 1 Court would take his case under their wise consider-
ation and make him such compensation as they in their wisdom
shall think fit
Concord June 14 th 1787.
Samuel French
[He presented another petition the following December,
with the following documents to substantiate his statement :
—Ed.]
March y e 17 1783
I due here by sertify at Samuel French Hath fuly payed for
His Redemsian from the Indians
John Cambill
Hopkinton June 20 th 17S7
This may Sartify that Samuel French of Hopkinton was
taken by the Indions Sum Time in June in the year 17S2 at the
HOPKINTON. 269
Little falls in Moohook River according to the best Integence
we had Being Soulders Stationed at Saratoge the same year
Timothy Farnham
John S. Farnham
Meredith September the 1 1787
this is to Cerfyfy that Samuel french was taken By the indens
at the Little falls of the mohock River he Belongin to Cap*
Bells Company in the 2 N. H. Rigment with me
Oliver Smith
Pursuant to a vote of the General Court passed Feb 7 I st 1788,
I have entered Samuel French in the Depreciation Books for
four years wages, commencing June 1782, amounting to Ninety
Six pounds. Interest to be paid annually
Attest J. Gilman
Exeter Feb 7 15 th 1788—
[R. 2-1 15] \_Petition of Elijah Smart, Soldier, jygi.~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon bl General Court now setting at Concord
The Petition of Elijah Smart Humbly sheweth, that in the
year 1777 be enlisted for three years in Cap* Nat. Hutchen's
Company in Col Cilleys Rig mt and in the year 1778 was taken
sick in the Camp, of the Yellow fever and Carried to the Hos-
pital at Valley forge and from thence was removed to the Hos-
pital at the Yellow-Springs, where he had the Mortification in
one of his feet which Occationed the loss of several of his
toes. * * *
Elijah Smart
Hopkinton Jan. 19: 1791
[Hopkinton men in the First New Hampshire Regiment :
Daniel Cressy, entered April 10, 1777; discharged April
10, 1779.
Moses Colby, entered April 4, 1777; discharged April 4,
1780.
Ephraim Cross, entered April 16, 1777; discharged 1780.
John Chadwick, entered April 6, 1777 ; discharged April
5, 1780.
John T. Connor, entered April 8, 1777 ; discharged April
5, 1780.
Ebenezer Collins, entered April 6, 1777 ; discharged Oc-
tober, 1777.
27O EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benjamin Cressy, entered April 6, 1781 ; discharged
March 17, 1782.
Alva Currier, entered April 5, 1 781 ; discharged Decem-
ber, 1 78 1.
Joseph Eastman, entered April 10, 1777 ; discharged Oc-
tober 30, 1777.
John Eastman, entered April 10,1777; discharged July
8, 1777.
John Eastman, Jr., entered May 6, 1779; discharged
John Eaton, entered April 5, 1 781 ; discharged December,
1781.
John S. Farnham, entered May 5, 1779; discharged De-
cember, 1 781.
Timothy Farnham, entered April 5, 1781 ; discharged
Enoch Hoit, entered July 3, 1777; discharged July 2, 1780.
Ephraim Hildrith, entered April 5, 1781 ; discharged De-
cember, 1 781.
Jona Judkins, entered April 10, 1777; discharged April
10, 1780.
James Lamb, entered March 10, 1777 ; discharged
March, 1780.
Samuel Stocker, entered April 10, 1777; discharged
March 7, 1780.
David Smith, entered April 10, 1777 ; discharged August
4, 1778.
Elijah Smart, entered April 7, 1777 ; discharged April
10, 1780.
Caleb Smart, entered April 7, 1777; discharged April
10, 1780.
Jona. Sawyer, entered April 4, 1777; discharged April
5, 1780.
Some of the foregoing were in the same regiment again
in 1782 and in 1783. — Ed.]
[£5-138] ^Remonstrance to the Ordination of Rev. yacob
Cram, i/ r 8g.']
To the Council appointed to Ordain M* Jacob Cramb in the
work of the Ministry —
Reverend Sirs ; we would inform you that when M r Cramb
had a Call from the people of this Town to Settle in the work
HOPKINTON.
271
of the Ministry in a Town meeting we Suppose there was not
more than one fourth part of the Voters, in Town that voted
for his Settling as aforesaid : Since that time we understand
there has many informed him before he had given his Answer,
that they had no desire he should settle in this Town, as afore-
said ; and Considering the present Circumstances of the Town
and other Reasons which might be given we have No desire
that he Should settle in the work of the ministry, as aforesaid
And we would inform you that it is much against our opinions
to do any thing toward his settleing in said Town or support
him if settle'd : and we apprehend that if M r Cramb, should
Settle in this Town it will be the means of Causing Law
suits, and Cause of much Confusion in said Town. Therefore,
we would pray you to advise. M r Cramb not to settle in said
Town and you to Desist from ordaining of him in Said Town ;
and in So doing you will oblige your Humble Petitioners —
Hopkinton Feby. 10 th 1789
Moses Long
James Clough
Isaal Gould
Steph Herriman J r
Joseph putney J r
Thomas Eastman
John Emerson
William Peters J r
Samuel Currier
Thaddeus Ladd
Joseph Clark
Nathaniel Eaton
Isaac Perley
Samuel Sawyer
Jacob Straw : 3
Gideon wood
David Clough
Reuben Currier
Elijah Holms
Moses Jones
David Clement
Christopher Gould
Jacob Clarke
Henry Blake
Levi Bayley
Abel Rowell
Jeremiah Fowler
John Eastman
Calib Burbank
Moses Kimball
Mathew Stanly
Abr m Currier
Noah Pearson
Jeremiah Emerson
Amos Bayley
Thomas Clough
Benjamin Hoyt
John Perley
Robert Hanaford
Jeremiah Flanders
Jon th Sawyer
Jacob Hoyt
Rich d Cresey
John Holmes
Jaob Stanly
Timothy Emerson
Abraham Rowell
Amos Gorden
Nicolas C Buswell
Ichabod Gould
Stephen Putney
James Emerson
Ensley Brown
ralph Cross
Henry Currier
Ezekiel Hadley
Solomon Bayley
Enos hunt
Timothy Flanders
David Morrill
Samuel Page
Nathan H Morgan
Samuel Straw J r
John Gould
Stephen Harriman
Abner Hoyte
John Eaton
Samuel Hoit
Daniel Flanders
Joseph Hastings
Jacob Straw
Daniel Tenny
Moses Kezer
A Copy of Said Petition
Samuel Wood
Scribe of S d Council
272
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[Mr. Cram was ordained notwithstanding. See following
document : — Ed.]
[5-137]
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon ble the Senate and House of Representatives for said
State to be Convened at Portsmouth the fourth Wednesday
of December AD 1789 —
Humbly shews the Subscribers Inhabitance of the Town of
Hopkinton in the County of Hillsborough and State aforesaid
That it is Rational to Suppose and favoured by the Constitu-
tion of Said State that no person ought to be Compelled to pay
Taxes for the Support of a Minister of the Gospel whose Senti-
ments in Religion are Different from his That in February last-
the Revd. Jacob Cram was Ordained in Said Hopkinton Pre-
vious to which many of us by ourselves and Agents Objected
against his being Ordained thinking his Sentiments not agre
able to ours Notwithstanding he was Ordained and we are
Taxed toward his Support We think it Cruel that we Should
in a day when a Spirit of Liberality in Religious Sentiments
Pervades the Continent and not a Single Constitution in the
United States compells a Man to pay where he cannot Consci-
entiously hear & be Compelled to Pay this Man ; We wish to
Support the Preaching of the Gospel at the Same time Wish
for a Man of our own Choosing We therefore Beg that we may
either have a Poll Parrish in Said Town or that the same may
be divided in Such manner as the Hon ble Court shall think best
And as in duty bound Shall ever Pray
Thaddeus Ladd
Jacob Straw, 3
Joshua Eaton
John Gould
Ebenezer Ordua
William putney
Samuel Straw
Amos Bayley
Stephen Harriman
Rich d Cresey
Sargent Currier
Danill Gunnison
Jon ft Sawyer
Abraham Rowell
Noah Pearson
Benjamin Hoyt
Israel Gould
Moses Jones
John Emerson
Isaac Perley
Nathan H Morgan
Timothy Emerson
John White
Ichabod Gould
Abner Hoyt
Ezekiel Hadley
Caleb Burbank
Abr m Currier
Simeon Dow Junr
Moses Hastings
Moses Kezer
Samuel Hoyt
Jonathan Gorden
Amos Gorden
Levi Bayley
Reuben Currier
John Perley
Jacob Rowell
Nathaniel Eaton
Samuel Sawyer
Thomas Eastman
Nathaniel Morgan
Joseph Clark
David Merrill
James Clough
Nathaniel Rowell
Joseph Hastings
Jacob Straw
Jacob Hoyt
Gideon woods
HUDSON. 273
[In H. of Rep., December 26, 1789, a hearing was order-
ed for the second Tuesday of their next session, at which
time, June 15, 1790, the matter was further postponed to
the second Tuesday of their next session. I fail to find any
further action in the matter. — Ed.]
HUDSON.
The largest part of the territory contained in this town
was included in the ancient grant, by the provincial govern-
ment of Massachusetts Bay, of the township of Dunstable,
October 16, 1673, O. S. In 1722 a portion of this grant
was annexed to the town of Londonderry, and in 1732 all
that remained of Dunstable east of Merrimack river was
incorporated into a town named Nottingham.
In 1734 the north part was taken off, and, with other
territory, incorporated into a town named Litchfield. The
aforesaid changes were made by the general court of Mas-
sachusetts, the territory being considered a part of that
province until the line was established in 1741.
Settlements were made on the banks of the Merrimack as
early as 1710, the people living in garrisoned houses, and
planting their corn on land cleared by Indians for that pur-
pose.
The town was incorporated by the governor and council
of New Hampshire, July 5, 1746, in answer to a petition
from the inhabitants (Vol. IX, page 417), and named Not-
tingham West, and retained that name until it was changed
to Hudson by an act of the legislature approved July 1, 1830.
The south-westerly part of Londonderry was annexed to
this town by an act passed March 6, 1778.
[Nottingham West Men in First N. U. Regiment .]
[Robert Burts, entered April 28, 1777; discharged July
8, 1780.
Nathaniel Hardy, entered May 1, 1777 ; discharged
March 5, 1778.
Amos Kenney, entered April 3, 1777; discharged Octo-
ber 7, 1777 ; killed.
Thomas Barry, entered April 12, 1779; discharged April
10, 1780. — Ed.]
20
274 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-172] \_Co?nplai?zt concerning Rev. Nathaniel Merrill,.
'747-1
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Cap 1 General
Governor & Commander in Chief in & Over His Majestys
Province of New Hampshire the Hon ble His Majestys Coun-
cil & House of Representatives for said Province in General
Assembly Convened the 2 d day of December, 1747.
The humble Petition of Josiah Cummings & others whose
Names are hereunto subscribed Inhabitants of Nottingham
West in said Province shews
That the Inhabitants of said Town since their Incorporation
as a Township under this Government, have proceeded to call
& settle one M r Nath 1 Merril as the Gospel Minister of said
Town which your Petitioners Opposed and from which they
always dissented Requesting that they might be Excused both
from calling him & paying towards his Support because they
could not like him for their Minister.
That notwithstanding the different Sentiments of your Peti-
tioners in this matter & the steps they took to discover their
dislike of the Proceedings the Town have calld & settled the
said Minister & have rated your Petitioners as others who have
been Active therein — and your Petitioners supposing the Town
in general was not desireous of compelling them to join against
their Inclination have Requested the Select Men of said Town
to Insert a Clause in a Warr* for calling a Town meeting to see
if the Town would not Excuse your Petitioners & discharge
them from paying as afores d till they should attend the Ministry
of M r Merril (which as yet they do not) or to call a meeting
for that purpose both of w r hich has been denied by the select
men —
That your Petitioners conceive had such a motion been regu-
larly made at the Town meeting the Town would have dis-
miss'd your Petitioners & Exonerated them from any charge
having the Example as well as the Advantage ,of such a Dis-
mission made by the Town of Dunstable of a Number of their
Inhabitants who dissented from the proceedings there Relating
to the Settlement of a Minister whereby the Town of Notting-
ham will not upon the whole be prejudiced — But however that
may be your Petitioners humbly conceive it to be a hard Case
to oblige them to belong to & to support the Ministry they can-
not like & do not attend & when they may attend the Ministry
at Dunstable to their Satisfaction & with Equal Conveniency
as in Nottingham Wherefore they humbly pray that they may
be discharged both Polls & Estates from paying any thing to-
wards the support of the Ministry at said Nottingham so long
as they attend else where & they shall Ever pray
HUDSON. 275
Josiah Cumings Jeremiah Blodget John Snow
heenry Snow Samuel Jewet Benjamin Frost
Reuben Greley Beniamen Snow
Eleazar Cumings Samuel Hushton
[In H. of Rep., March 9, 1747, the matter was postponed
until the selectmen of the town had called a meeting to see
if the town would consent to the foregoing request. — Ed.]
[5— 171] [Granting Authority to Mr. Cummings to petition
the Legislature, 1747.']
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Nottinghamwest Author-
ize and Impower M r Josiah Cumings of said Nottinghamwest
to Petition the Gen 11 Court of New Hampshire that we may be
Excused from paying Taxes to the Rev d M r Nath 1 Merril in or-
der that we may pay at Dunstable where we attend and to Act
fully in our behalf relating that affair said M r Merril being set-
tled in said Town contrary to our Consent and conience like-
wise we having entered Protest Against the vote where by he
was settled the Selectmen having Assessed us for the same not-
withstanding and having refused to. put our desire of being Ex-
cused in to a Warrant for a Town meeting
Nottinghamwest Sep r 14 th 1747
Eleazar Cummings Jeremiah Blodget Ruben grele
John Snow Samuel Juewet Josiah Cumings
Beniamon Snow Samuel Huston
henry Snow Benj a Frost
[5-170] [Relative to Ministerial Affairs, 1747.^
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable
in the Province of New Harnp 1 " on the fifteenth day of Septem-
ber 1747
an Extract from the votes of said meeting a vote was pro-
posed as followeth —
Whereas this Town of Dunstable on the 31* of Aug* last
voted and chose y e Rev d M r Samuel Bird for the settled minis-
ter of this Town and Joseph Blanchard Esq r , Henry Adams,
John Lovewell Ju r Jo s French, Jon a French, Jon a Combs,
Josiah Swan, Sylvanus Whitney, Ephraim Butterfield, Tho s
Blanchard, Joseph Butterfield, Richard Stratton Ephraim Ad-
ams, Tho s Adams Phineas Adams, Sam 1 Searles, William
276 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Lund Ju r , Phineas Lund & John Combs having manifested
their dissatisfaction with the choice and unwillingness to attend
his Ministry therefore voted and Agreed that said persons and
their poles for the time being Lyable by law to be rated and
such Tenants for the time being as shall live on their Estates
unless such tenants shall give their attendance at said M r Birds
meeting be and hereby are Excused and discharged from all
rates and taxes what So ever that shall be raised and i\ssessed
on the Inhabitants of this Town for the settlement Salary or
support of the said M r Bird and all other their Estate Real and
personall while in their Possession equally discharged also for
the Errecting and finishing a meeting house where the said m r
Bird shall preach Always reserving as the condition of this
Grant or vote that the Persons discharged as afore said do not
vote in any affaire relating to the said m r Birds settlement Sal-
ary or support or the placing ordering or Building the said
meeting house and in case any of them for the future do thus act
in any of the affairs as afore said then the afore going vote to be
void as to such person also provided that w T hen any of said per-
sons shall give their Generall Attendance on the said m r Birds
ministry the afore said vote where by they are Excused to be
void as to such person —
voted in the affairmative
A True Copy Exam d per Jon a Lovewell Town Clerk
[5-169] [Alleged Illegal Vol i?ig i?i 1747. ~]
Where as we the subscribers Inhabitants of Nottinghamwest
in the Province of New r Hampshire in New-England being
present at a meeting of the Inhabitants of said Nottinghamwest
y e 9 th day of March 1746/7 when several persons ware Allowed
by the Moderator to vote in said meeting that was not Qiialli-
fied by the Laws of this Province to vote in Town affairs and
Altho Objection was then made against said persons voting they
ware still Allowed to vote in said Meeting and there by votes
ware made in said Meeting which if they stand will be Hurtfull
to us the Subscribers and many other Inhabitants of this Town
as well as contrary to the Laws of this Province therefore we
the Subscribers desire and Impower M r Josiah Cumings of said
Nottinghamwest in our names & behalf to Petition his Excel-
lency the Gov 1 " & the Honou le Council and Representatives of
said Province to Know if said Meeting shall stand Good or
not —
Nottinghamwest March y e 30 th 1747
HUDSON. 277
Zacheues Lovewell Eleazar Cummings
Samy el Huston Arthur Darrahe
Elexander Thomson Ezekiel Hills
Joseph Snow William Taylor
John Snow Ezekiel Grele
John Mitchell
[5—168] [Petition relative to foregoing in iy4y.~\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq 1- Cap* General
Governor and Commander in Chief in & over His Majestys
Province of New Hampshire the Hon ble his Majesty's Coun-
cil & House of Representatives for said Province in General
Assembly convened the 12 th Day of May 1747
The Humble Petition of Josiah Cummings of Nottingham
West in said Province in behalf of himself & Sundry other In-
habitants & freeholders of said Town shews
That on the ,9th Day of March last past the Inhabitants &
freeholders of said Town met to chuse the Town Officers for
the Ensuing year & to transact other affairs proper to a General
Town Meeting and after chusing of a Moderator they proceeded
to business, in the conduct of which the Moderator was greatly
negligent of his duty in suffering Persons to Vote who were
not Qualified for nor Intitled to that Privilege by which means
things were carried against the Minds of a Majority of the
Qualified Voters & such Votes past as will (if put in Execu-
tion) be very prejudicial to the Interest of the Town as well as
many particular Persons and tho' Objection was made to the
Moderator against admitting such unqualified voters yet he dis-
regarded & over Ruled the same against Law & Right
That as this is a thing of a very pernicious tendency & Dan-
gerous consequence & which ought not in any Instance to be
tolerated as it is an abuse of a very great Privilege as well as a
breach of the Good & wholsom Laws in that case provided
every honest man ought bear Testimony against & do his En-
deavour to have discountenanced by that Authority which is the
Guardian of English Liberties as well as Enacter of good
Laws —
Wherefore your Petition 1- Humbly prays the premises may be
Inquired of and if found in any Degree as above Represented
that the said Meeting be declared Void & the proceedings &
Votes then & there past Vacated, a new Meeting Called for the
purposes of the first, and a suitable Person Appointed Modera-
tor to Govern the same and your Petition 1 * as in duty Bound
shall Ever Pray &c —
Josiah Cumings
State of Newhampshire —
278 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-67]
To the Honoroberle Counsel and house of Representative —
Gentelmen —
may it Pies your Honours that we the Subscribers Humbly
shew that we ware Notifyed With A Copy of moses Hadlys
Petition of Nottingham west to appear at Exeter the Eighteenth
of march Instant and shue cause Why the petition should not
be ansurd but so far from that we Pray that the Petition may
be ansurd
Samuel marsh Selectman
David Laurance
Samuel Wason
Moses Johnson
Samuel Greelee
[5-166] [Relative to jfonat/ian Sear/e, 1775 '.]
Nottingham west June y e 9 th 1775 —
We the Subscribers being Neighbors to m r Jon th Sarles and
have been acquainted with him this some time, and for his
Relief we are Desirous to Let all Generous People know his
Conduct, & Cirumstances, &c —
He has Lived this some years in the Town of Nottingh m
west, and is, (as far as we know) an honest Principled man
and has been honest in his Dealings with mankind as far as he
was Capable of, to the utmost of his Ability, — But fortune has
not favoured him with the Good things & comforts of this Life,
by Reason of Sickness & other frowns of Providence, for he
has had Sickness in his family at certain times for many years
Past, and more Especially since about five years ago Last April
he hath had a Daughter Sick & under the care of Physicians
the biggest Part of the time, and She is Reduced as it were to
a Skeleton & a mear nothing, and is Exceeding Troublesome,
for she has been confined to her bed this two or three years
Past, and we Don't know as she is Likely Ever to be any bet-
ter, but may continue so, this many Years, he has had for her
the Advice of many Physicians, to no Purpose — he has also two
Children besides her, that will never be capable to maintain
& take care of themselves — one of them is 22 years of age, or
near it & has had convulsion fitts from a Child & is an object
of Pitty. The other is about 18 years of age, which is Inca-
pable of Doing much Business, for Nature & Providence has
not Endowed him with faculties & Activity Enough to Provide
for himself, & besides all this, he is scarcelv Ever well in
HUDSON. 279
health, & is very often under the Doctors care — M r Sarles him-
self is purblind, and of late his Sight is much Depraved & Im-
paired being something Advanced in years — and therefore he
is not fit to Do much work — he has also another Child that is
not Endowed with Active Lively faculties & foresight, sufficient
to manage without Directions from time to time, & Likewise
being not so well calculated for business as is Common, by
Reason of the Total loss of the sight of one Eye, Even from
a child Therefore if you that see these Lines, think that you
can bestow something to such a Needy person and help him a
Little in his Great Difficulty & trouble it would be a Deed of
Charity in your so Doing, to help the Poor & needy in their
Distress —
Signed by John Mussey, their family Physician also by D r
Cummings
Let the Chearful heart be open, & Revive
The weak & feble, while they are yet Alive —
Pelbam Oct r y e 27 th 1783—
This may Certify, that Jacob Sarles is in a weak Infirm State
•of health —
John Mussey
[5-165] [Relative to Land of William Brattle, 1777. ~\
To the Honorable the Council & the House of Representatives
setting at Portsmouth the fourth Day of November next —
The Petition of we the Subscribers humbly sheweth — That
whereas there is a Tract of land containing about 250 Acres
lying in Nottingham-West, in the County of Hillsborough, &
State of New-Hampshire, belonging to the Heirs of William
Brattle Esq ; deceased : who in his life time fled from his Coun-
try to the Enemies of America ; And whereas it is probable
that said Land will become the property of this State : And
whereas great waste and dammage has heretofore been done to
:said Land by striping it of Timber that grows upon it, and as
there is the highest probability that still greater wastes will be
made in time to come, if no measures are taken to prevent it —
From a Desire, therefore to preserve the Property of the State,
Ave beg your Honors, to take such measures, as you in your
wisdom shall see meet, to prevent, for the future, the Destruc-
tion of the Timber growing upon said Land —
As we your Petitioners in Duty bound shall ever pray —
Nottingham-West 31 st Oct r 1777 —
.Abraham Page John Hale Jona. Bradley
Stephen Kenney John Hestine Gideon Butler
Page Smith Timo Smith Jn° Caldwell
280 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-163] [Relative to the Protection of Fish, 1778. ~\
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
for the Stat of New Hampshire at Exeter Conveind —
Gentlemen —
The Petition of us the Subscribers Humbly sheweth that
Whereas there is a Brook in the Town of Nottingham west and
County of Hillsborough that Runs from Woo Tannack So
Called in s d Town to Merimack River in Which large numbers
of Fish known by the name of Alle Wives has freequently
Rune which would be a Great Benefit to the Publick provided
said Stream could be kept clear and Also the mouth of the
Brook upon the River And all Ell pots and Obstructions by
which means some Evil Desposed Persons are detirmanded to
stop the General Rune of said Fish to y e Great damage of the
Publick therefore We your Petitioners Prays your Honours in
your Wisdom would take into consideration the same and pro-
vide such measures as may be thought by you proper so that s d
Town may be Enabled to lay Restractions on such evil minded
Persons for the Future and we your Petitioners as in Dutey
Bound Shall Ever pray —
February y e 7 th 1778 —
Jno Caldwell Asa Davis Henery Hale Junir
Robert Glover henry hucy Will" 1 Gibson
James Caldwell Nathaniel Haseltine John Haseltine
David Cumings Nickles Eastman Seth Wyman
Ebenezer Barker Timothy Smith Jon a Bradley
Thomas Wason Daniel Marshall Giden Butler
James Wason Page Smith Philbrick Colby
James Caldwell John Hale David Glover
Alexander Caldwell Samuel Smith William Glover
Abraham Page Stephen Kenney Bengamon malven
Eliphet Hadley Henery Hale
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 18, 1778, the foregoing were granted
leave to bring in a bill, and an act granting protection was
passed March 5. — Ed.]
[5-162] \_Pctitio?z relative to aforesaid Act, 1779. ~\
To the Honorable the Council and house of Representatives
for the State of Newhamp rc in General Court —
May it please your hon" we your humble petitioners under-
standing that there is an act made in this Honorable Court
ordering a Sluice to be made through Moses Hadleys mill Dam
in Nottingham-west and to continue open about 3 months which
of course will draw of the water so that the Mill will be En-
HUDSON.
28l
tirely useless till the water can be raisd again which cannot
be done till fall of the year and as s d mill is of the utmost
service in the time when s d Sluice is to be open all the other
mills round at that season being dry and cant grind and this
mill if there is no Sluice to draw off the water can and does
Supply a great number of Familys wherefore your Humble
Petitioners pray that s d act may be reconsidered and ordered
that instead of a Sluice (which will ruin the mill) that there
may be a ditch at one End of the dam which may Easily be
made so that the fish may go up and down and it will not draw
the water so but the mill will be of great use to many distressed
Families while the water is running in s d Ditch and we Like-
wise pray that the time set forth for the water to be running
may not Exceed six weeks which will be long Enough for the
fish to pass and repass in gratifying us in these things you will
oblige your Humble petitioners Ever to pray.
Feb'' 18 1779 —
Moses Hadley
Samuel marsh
Danil Marshall
Ebenezer Cumings
Eben r Perry
Daniel Hardy
Peter Cross
John hall
Elezear Cumings
Isaac Merril
Joshua Chase
Justus Dakin
Samuel Pollard
Ebenezer Pollard
Josiah Cummings
Henry chase
Jos Greele
Jonathan Hardy Jr
Richard Hardv
Philip Hills
Oliver Hills
Reuben Spaulding
Joseph Wilson
George Burns
Samuel
Samuel Brown
Natha 1 Merril Jur
Elijah Hill
Ezekiel Grele
Joseph gould
Nathanael Davis
Moses Barret
James Barret Jun
Richard Marshall
Isaac Page
william Cummings
Stephen Chase Juiner David Marsh
John hardy Jonathan Marsh
Joel Barrat Joseph Blodget
William burroughs George Burns
Rich d Cutter
Isaac Page Jun.
Joseph Cross
Simeon Barret
David tarbell
David Lawrance
Joshua Peirce
Isaac Barret
William Burns
Sam 1 Greele
edward farmer
Ichabod Esman
Alexander Caldwell
Samuel Caldwell
Robert Glover
Eliphalet Hadley
Will m Gibson
Sam 1 Burbank
Sam 1 Burbankjun 1-
Moody Hardy
Andrew Sceavy
Samuel Durant
Moses Johnson
Thomas winn
Samuel French
Joseph merrick
Seth Cutter
Ebeneser tarbox
Moses Barret Juner
James Barret
Thomas Barret
Elijah Marshall
Jamas marsh
Abiathar Winn
Joseph Winn
Joseph Winn J r
Joseph Winn J r
Sam el moor
Stephen Chase
Benja Marchall
John Walker
John Pollard
Eliphalet hadly
Benjamin Hadley
Enos Hadley
John
282 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5 _I 73] [Thomas Caldwell's Petition, iy8j.~\
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives in
General assembly Convened —
The Petition of Thomas Caldwell of Nottingham-west Hum-
bly Shews
That about three years ago your Petitioner requested the Se-
lect of said Town to lay him out a public Road from his dwell-
ing house Northerly to the Country Road crossing Jon a Searles's
land and all the objection they then had was the Towns being
Obliged in Such case to pay for the land — your Petitioner than
applyed to the Court of Sessions for the County of Hillsborrough
praying for an Order to Lay out such a Road and in pursuance
thereof a Committee was appointed who with great Circum-
spection view'd the premises, when all parties were present, and
then lay'd out the road requested and it was afterwards estab-
lished by the S d Court — and Searles's Damages awarded him —
and the road ordered to be Opened as mentioned in the Said re-
port —
That the Select" of Said Town have lay'd out a road quite
aCross your Petitioners Farm and to make all things easy he
has offered to Abate the Town the Sum awarded him as dam-
ages Provided the other road Could be opened and the said
Searles paid his damages (which is not a larger sum than Or-
dered your Petitioner) but Still the same is not don neither is
there any appearance of it — and now it Seems Som restless peo-
ple are about applying to this assembly to have this report re-
versed, or altered in a manner very prejudicial to your Petition-
er and to deprive him from his main road to Meeting Mill Mar-
ket &c — the other Road not being of the least Advantage to him
for any of the aforesaid purposes, and was lay'd there purely to
Serve a few individuals and not for any general purpose — and
now your Petetioner is inform'd that some persons in Notting-
ham are about Presenting a Petetion as herein before hinted at
— & that your Honers may have Som Just notion of the matter
this representation is humbly presented and your Petetioner is
encouraged to hope that Such light will be thrown on the Mat-
ter as to prevent a Formal hearing of any Such Petetion and to
have the Same rejected, as a thing already Settled by a Court
Proper for Such matters whoes determination ought to be final
& so rest unless Great, and Manifest, injury is done
This matter of Petetioning your honors has been agitated in
public Town meeting when the inhabitants were prety Gener-
ally assembled, and the Vote against Petetioning was very unan-
imious and now is Prosecuted only by a few Designing men and
for no good Purpose as may be Shewn in the Sequel —
HUDSON. 283
Your Petitioner Therefore most heartily relying on the Pru-
dence Justice and Wisdom of this Honerable Body of men and
that they will prefer Public good to Private Pique and rather
discourage Such Applications as Can Only Tend to impede and
Obstruct the Ordinary State Business And Tend to promote
Such Petetions in numberless Instances, he therefore humbly
hopes the Said Order Respecting the Laying out the Said Road
made and Establish^ by the Court of Sessions for the County of
Hillsborrough may not be Altered But any Petition for the Same
may be dismis'd — and Your Petetioner as in duty bound Shall
Ever pray &c —
We the Subscribers being in habitants of Said Nottingham-
west have perused the foregoing Petition and think it Contains
a very fair representation of the matter wherefore we do hereby
Signify our desire that the road lay'd out by the Said Commit-
tee may be opened and repared as ordered in the Said report
Alexander Caldwell John Pettingill Samuel
Samuel Caldwell Nath el merrill Juner George
henry hucy Thomas Pollard Samuel
Will 111 Burns Benjm Marshal James Caldwell
Andrew Sceavey Henray Marshel James Wason
Isaac Merrill Friend moody Nathaniel Seavy
[5-1 61] [Deposition relative to foregoing, iy8j.~\
Abraham Page of Lawfull age Testifieth and Saith that he is
knowing to a Town Road being laid out and Iproved as a Road
in Nottingham West which Road went a cross a part of the
Westerly End of Flukers Lot So called which Lot Thomas
Caldwell now Resides on and your Deponant further Saith that
he looks upon the Road that the Courts Com tee lately laid out
through Jonathan Searles 8 Land will be a great Damage to S d
Searles. he and his famaly being in Low circumstances and very
unable to fence S d Road
Nottingham West Abraham Page
November 3 th Day 1783
[5-160] [Depositions of Cummings, Cross, and Hale, 1783, .]
Ebenezer Cuming Peter Cross and John Hale all of Lawfull
age Testify and Say that they are well acquainted with a Road
that the Courts Committee has lately laid out through Jonathan
284 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Searles" Land to Thomas Caldwells, that Said Road goes on
Said Searles 8 land upward 8 of one Hundred and Twenty rods
upwards of Eighty of which is unfenced, and your Deponants
look upon wS d Road if kept as an open Road to be of great Dam-
age to Said Searles, as he and his famaly is in Low Circum-
stances and unable to fence s fl Road as also it will Expose a
great quantity of his apples of being lost by reason of falling in-
to S d Road, and that their is an open Road Laid out across the
Lot that said Caldwell Lives upon that is the Easterly End of
said Lot
Nottingham west Ebenezer Cmigs
November 3 th Day 1783 Peter Cross
John Hale
State of New Hampshier Hillsborough ss
nottingham west November 3 th Day 1783
then the above & hear named Dec. Ebenezer Cumings & Left
Peter Cross & John Hale & Cap* Abraham Page all personally
appeard and after Due Caution and Careful axamination made
Solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by them Re-
spectively Signed and that is all they knew of the matter they re-
late to which tistimonys were taken to be used at the General
Court now Seting at Concord taken at the request of Jonathan
Searles the Petitioner the adverse partie nameley Thomos Cald-
well was present at Time of Caption Sworn out of Court
Before me Asa Davis Justice of peace
[5-159] [Statement relative to Building the Road, z/Sj.']
Where as we the Subscribers are well acquanted with the
Dispute that hath for a long time subsisted betwixt Jonathan
Searls and thomas Caldwell Both of Nottingham West respect-
ing a Road from said Caldwell 8 by said Searls 8 House into the
country Road leading from Henry Hucy 8 to Alexander Caldw 1
We think it highly reasonable on account of Both Caldwell 8 and
Searles 8 Benefit and the Neighbours in general that s (1 road
shold be opned and whereas the said Searls seems to be unwil-
ling on account of the cost in building the fence on which ac-
count we have no desire said Searls should be burdened in Tes-
tamony whereof we promise that on condition the above said
road should be opened in Order to help said Searls to make said
fence each one of us for ourSelves will work or Cause to be
wrought at said fence the Time afixed to Each of our Names
Nottingham west October 30 th 17S3
HUDSON. 285
Mens Work Ox Work
Moses Hadley — two days
Nathan Winn Self one day
George Burns three days work
Isaac Hard two days work
James wason Two days work
James Wason 1 day
Jame Caldwell 1 D
Samuel Wason two Days
Thomas Wason Two Days
Johnsmith Three days
Joseph two days
Hanry Hardy Two days
Bar s Gibson 3 day 3 — 2 day 3
Thomas Caldwell 4 Days 3 Days
Nathaniel Sceavy 3 Days
[5-1 58] \_More relative to said J?oad.~\
To the Hon ble the council and house of Representatives for y e
state of Newhampshire in general assembly convened at Con-
cord the First thursday of November Annoque Domini 1 783 —
The Petition of Nathaniel Sceavy of Nottingham West in the
county of Hillsborrough and state aforesaid Blacksmith
Most Humbly sheweth, that whereas Jonathan Searls of Not-
tingham aforsaid did in the month of June 1783, prefere a peti-
tion to the Hon ble council and assembly of the state aforsaid
praying that the report of a committee of the Hon ble the Court
of General Session of the peace for the county aforsaid Respect-
ing a road laid out by said committee of two rods wide from
Thomas Caldwell 3 House as the road was then trod by s d Searls 8
House into the country road — and the order of the aforsaid court
thereon, might be Nullified and said road be made subject to
gates and bars — which will be Verry Injurious to your petition-
er and many others. — Your petitioner have Built a House and
settled on a piece of Newland about seventy Rods south of said
Caldwell and is determined to work at the Blacksmith 3 Trade
and have not the lest prospect of the priviledge of a road as a
Town Inhabitant any other way only by the aforsaid Road
therefore your petitioner Most humbly prays your Honours will
Establish the aforsaid committee 8 report and order of the hon ble
court of session thereon or grant your petitioner such other
helps as to your Honours in your Wisdom shall seem just and
Equal and your petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
November 3 d 1783
Nathaniel Sceavy
286 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-116] [Petition of Sarah Bradbury, 1780 : addressed
to the Ge?ieral Assembly. ]
The petition of Sarah Bradbury of nottinghamwest In said
state widow Humbly shueth that your petitioner's Husband en-
tered Into the Contanantal army about three years ago and that
he Died on His Return from a march to the Indean Cuntry
with general Sullivan Last fall that your petitioners s d husband
has had the Caracter of Doing the Duty of a faithful good sol-
dier both In the most of the Last french war and the present
war with great Bretton In the Capasity of a Sargent. * * *
Nottinghamwest february 10 th 1780 —
Sarah Bradbery
[She further stated that she was left with a family of
small children, and asked for assistance. — Ed.]
[R. 2-1 18] [Petition of Richard Cutter, Soldier, 1784.]
The Petition of Richard Cutter of Nottingham-West Humbly
Sheweth That your Petitioner was a soldier in Cap 1 Samuel
Darbin Company of Colo Stephen Peabody* Regiment in the
year 1778, from the tenth Day of June to the first Day of Janu-
ary, which is six months and twenty Days — That your Petition-
er for all that service, received only one months pay, from the
hands of the Muster Master Colo Noah Lovewell — That your
Petitioner has very frequently requested his wages of Cap 1 Dar-
bin (who had the money from the state to pay the Soldiers) but
never could obtain a farthing, nor ever expects to. Therefore
beg your Honors to make him a compensation for the afores*
Services :
Rich d Cutter
Nottingham-West March 18 th 17S4
[5-157] [Asa Davis recommended for a Magistrate, 1785. ~$
State of New Hampshire LI illsbo rough
To his Excelency the President of Said State, and honorable
Council Convened the humble petition of us the Subscribers of
Nottingham-West in S' 1 County, Sheweth that whereas by our
new Constitution we under Stand that all Commissions both
Civel & military are now Vacated, and that a new arrangement
is to take place we your petitionrs in be half of S d Town Hum-
bly pray that your Excelency, and hon™, in role Asa Davies
HUDSON.
287
Esq r to Continue as Justice of the peace for S d County and
Town as he has given general Setisfection in S d office, and as
in duty bound Shall pray,
Dated Notingham west Jan ry y e 26 y r 1785
Robert Stuart
Samual burbank
Henry Chase
Joseph Winn
Jonathan Hardy
Joseph Wilson
John Merrel
Isaac Coburn
bengamen marshel
Zaccheus Colburn
Samuel Pollard
Thomas Pollard
James Pollard
Thaddeus Wilson
Henry Farwel Mar-
shall
Abigail Winn Wd
Joseph Winn
John Chase
Joseph B Wilson
Jonathn Gould
Joseph Gould
Andrew Sceavy
James Sceavy
Isaac Chase
Thomas Whittaker
Abner Watkins
Capt David Cum-
ming
James Wason
Thomas Wason
James Caldwell
Joseph Caldwell
Samuel Wason
Nath el Sceavy
Eliphlet hadley
Enos hadley
Abraham Page
Benjamin hadley
Nathaniel Haseltine
Henery Hale iu
Page Smith
Wid Sary binney
Henry Morrill
John Hale
Robert petane
Jonathan Bradley
Alexander Caldwell
Henrey hucy
Samuel Caldwell
Robert Glover
Jonathen Sarles
Elelhen Sarles
Samuel Smith
Samuel Smith Junir
Hugh Smith
John Smith Juner
John Smith
Samuel Smith the
thomas Smith
Sith Wyman
friend moody
Joshua frensh
Sam 1 french
Peter Youngman
John Butler
John butler Jun
Jams farmer
Ebneser Poolerd
Jeremiah Blodget
Asahel Blodget
Benaiah Blodge
Joseph Blodget
Joseph Blodget J u
Phinihes Wheeler
Blodget
Jonathan tenney
Jonathen blodgat
James Pemberton
William atwood
Joseph Bradly
Eiiphalet Hadley
Stephen Hadley
Jacobet Esmons
[5-156] [Petition for an Incorporation of a Library, 1797. ~]
To the Honorable the Senate and house of Representatives in
General Court Convened at Portsmouth November 1797
Humbly Sheweth that the under Signed Inhabitants of Not-
tingham west with their associates, have been at Considerable
Expence in purchasing Books in order to astablish a Library in
Said Nottingham — but finding themselves under Some Disad-
vantages for the want of an incorporation pray your Honours
that they with Such others as may hereafter Join them, may be
incorporated into a body Politic for the purpose aforesaid, and
288 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Such Rules and Regulations as your Honours think proper —
and as your petitioners in Duty Bound will Ever pray —
Sam el Marsh
Joseph Winn
Phinehas Underwood
Eleazer Cummings
John Pollard
Joseph Greeley
Nottingh m West November 20 th 1797
[An act was passed December 9, 1797, incorporating the
library by the name of " Nottingham West Social Library."
—Ed.]
JACKSON.
This town was incorporated December 4, 1800, by the
name of Adams. It included Fowle's Location ; the grant
to Lt. Samuel Gilman, of Newmarket, of 2,000 acres, made
March 1, 1770; the grant of 3,000 acres made to Capt.
Richard Gridley, February 5, 1773 ; the grant to Capt.
Robert Rogers, of Portsmouth, of 3,000 acres, made July 4,
1764; the grant of 8,740 acres, made March 4, 1774, to
Mark Hunking Wentworth, Daniel Rogers, and Jacob
Treadwell, of Portsmouth ; and 13,893! acres of land be-
longing to the state. Jonathan and Clement Meserve peti-
tioned for the incorporation in 1796, and again in 1797. The
grants to Gilman, Gridley, and Rogers were made for ser-
vice in the French war, by virtue of a proclamation of the
king, of October 7, 1763.
Capt. Gridley was in command of a regiment under Gen.
Amherst at Crown Point in 1756; was at Louisbourg in
1758, and '• went from thence with the Fleet, and acted at
the Seige of, and Reduction of Quebec in 1759, with the
forces under General Wolfe."
June 14, 1806, 300 acres of state land in Adams was
granted the town for school purposes.
June 22, 1 8 19, the farm of " William Stephens " was sev-
ered from Adams, and annexed to Bartlett.
July 3, 1822, the farm of Nathaniel Carlton was severed
from Bartlett, and annexed to Adams.
JACKSON. 289
July 3, 1839, the farms of Nathaniel Tufts and Stephen
Carleton, 2d, were severed from Bartlett, and annexed to
this town.
The name of the town was changed to Jackson, July 4,
1829, in honor of Andrew Jackson, then president of the
United States. It received its first name when John Adams
was president.
[5—174] \_Ifetition for an Incorporation, iyg6.~]
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened at Exeter on Wednesday the first day
of June 1796
The petition of Jonathan Meserve and Clement Meserve hum-
bly Sheweth your petitioners having moved with themselves &■
Families on Gridley's Location in the County of Grafton and the
most northerly part of the State of New Hampshire and the most
Mountanious part of the State, and perhaps the most mounta-
nious part of North America, but by the Industry & exertions of
your petitioners & Families has been a means of bringing a num-
ber of good Settlers on the other Locations adjoining viz Went-
worth's Roger's, Gilmans, and Martins Locations, and Land sold
by the Commitee for makeing & reparing Roads from Conway to
Cohas, — but Still your petitioners & other Settlers is put to many
difficulties in that Mountanious Country for want of haveing
good Roads & in no regular order to do anything in respecte to
Roads Schools &c but what every Man thinks proper to do by
his own free will, All which is a very great Greviance and Dis-
couragement to the Settlement of the Northerly part of the State
therefore your petitioners pray a Township may be laid out
joining Southerly on Bartlett Easterly on Chatham, Northerly
on Shelburne Addition and Westerly on the White Hills, In-
cluding the Locations before mentioned, According to a plan
herewith exhibited & incorporated with all the privileges that
other Towns in the State have & enjoy and your petitioners
pray that all the unlocated Land contained in said plan may be
granted to your petitioners and associates on such terms & Con-
ditions as you in your wisdom shall think proper and your pe-
titioners as in duty bound shall ever Pray. —
June y e 25 1796 Jonathan Meserve
Clement Meserve
[The plan is No. 175 in manuscript volume. It is well
executed, showing points of compass and distances, bounds
of the locations, etc. — Ed.]
21
29O EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-176] \_Anotker Petition relative to Incorporation, 1797.]
To the Honorable Senate and house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Corte convened at Con-
cord on the first Wednesday in June 1797 —
Respectfully Sheweth Jonathan Meserve and Clement Meserve
now living on Gridley's Location in the County of Grafton and
State aforeSaid in behalf of themselves and those of your Citer-
sons living upon the Tracts of land hereafter Discribed and for
those who may hereafter reside thereon. That the present In-
habitants labor under many and Singular Disadvantages by rea-
son of not being in a situation to trancat public buseness, and
also that the granted lands within Said limits is not Sufficiant to
make a Town. That their are some ungranted lands within
Said limits but mostly mountains which cannot be of no real
service to this State but if granted might be Som to the Set-
tlers Wherefore they pray your Honors to Incorporate all the
Lands with the Inhabitants thereon within the lines and boun-
darys herein after Set forth into a Town by the name of
and grante to them your petinors and their Heirs and Assigns
forever all the ungranted lands within Said lines and boundarys
under such restrictions as may appear proper Beginning at the
Sothwesterly corner of fowlses Location thence running wester-
ly by Bartlet to Bartlet norwesterly corner bounds thence north-
ley to the Southwesterly corner of Rogers and Wentvvorths Lo-
cation then running nothley to Shilburn addition leaving the
white hills to the west so to include Martins Location and others
then by Shilburn addition to the Province of main thence by Said
province of Main to Chatham north westerly corner thense by
Chatham to the first mention bounds. These petitioners further
pray your Honors that if to you it Shall Seem proper that a
hearing on this petition may be granted at your next Session
and that in the mean time Sum Sutable measures may be pur-
sued as will furnish you with the evidence whairby to enable
you to Judge and Determine respecting the propertity of grant-
ing the prayer of your Petitioners and they as in Duty bound
will ever pray —
Jonathan Meserve
Clement Meserve
[5-177] [Another, relative to Incorporating- a Town, 1799.]
To the Honourable Senate & House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Fowls Gilman's Gridley's
JAFFREY.
29I
Rogers' Wentworth's and TreadwelPs Locations in the County
of Grafton and State of Newhampshire Humbly shews —
That your Petitioners are greatly incommoded by reason of
their unincorporated situation — That they forego many & singu-
lar advantages which Towns corporate enjoy, and labour un-
der embarrassments from which, in a corporate capacity, they
would be exempt — That they, by legal process, are unable to
make and repair necessary roads & highways and to raise mon-
ey for the support of schools and the Ministry in the aforesaid
Locations — That the Grievances abovementioned can only be
redressed by an act of Incorporation — That the aforesaid Loca-
tions are capable of forming a convenient Town — Wherefore
your Petitioners humbly pray that said Locations may be formed
& incorporated into a Township to be known and called by the
name of and as in duty bound shall ever Pray —
May 16 th AD 1799 —
Petitioner's Names —
Clement Meserve
John Young
John Parkins
Isaac Meserve
Samuel Jenkins
Jonathan MeserveJ
Henry Sawyer
Natthanniel Davis
Isaac Darburn
James Canney
Silas Meserve
Ephraim Meserve
Andrew Chesley
Samuel Gray Junier
Timothy Perkins
Samuel Gray
Daniel Nute
Jonathan Meserve
unjohn Meserve
John Nute
Ralph hall
Daniel Meserve
Benjamin Pitman
Joseph Pitman
Joseph D Pinkham
Nathaniel Chesley
Joseph Pinkham
George Pinkham
Benjamin Copp
Benjamin Copp
Junyer
William Copp
James Trickey
Ephraim Trickey
Daniel Pinkham
Rufus Pinkham
Samuel Rogars
[They were successful this time. The town was incorpo-
rated by an act approved Dec. 4. 1800, and named in honor
of President John Adams. — Ed.]
JAFFREY.
The township was granted November 30, 1749, by the
Masonian Proprietors, to Jonathan Hubbard and thirty-nine
others, residents of Hollis, Dunstable, and Lunenburg, and
was known by the names of Monadnock No. 2, Middle Mo-
nadnock, and Middletown, until it was incorporated by the
292 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
governor and council August 17, 1773, and named in honor
of Hon. George Jaffrey, a member of the council. The first
meeting of the proprietors was held in the house of Joseph
French, of Dunstable, January 16, 1750. Settlements were
made by Moses Stickneyand others in 1752, but were aban-
doned. In 1758 permanent settlements were made by John
Grout and others. Wolves had dens on the Monadnock
mountain, and occasionally one was killed. In 1793 Benja-
min Dole killed four and Benjamin Spaulding one, and each
received a bounty therefor.
The township granted was a parallelogram, nearly rectan-
gular, five miles by seven, and so remains to this day.
Lieut. John Harper, Jacob Pierce, Benjamin Dole, John
Dole, and Dudley Griffin were in the battle of Bunker Hill.
Ebenezer Hathornewas a veteran of the French war, and
was taken prisoner by the Indians at the surrender of Fort
William Henry. He manufactured steelyards as early as
1775, and one of his make is now in use in the family of the
editor of this volume, who is, maternally, a lineal descendant
of said Hathorne.
[5-178] [Boimds of the Township, as granted JSfove?nber
30, J749-1
The Bownds of y e Township of middle monadnock N° Two
In y c County of Cheshire and province of New Hampshire as
By y e originall Charter Signed By Joseph Blanchard Esq r of
Said Township appears is as follows (viz) —
Begining at y e Southwest Corner of Peterborough Slip So
called from thence Riming North Eighty degrees west Seven
miles to a Hemlock Tree marked from thence Riming North by
y e Needle five miles to a Hemlock Tree marked from thence
Runing South Eighty degrees East Seven miles to a Beach
Tree marked in y e west Line of Peterborough from thence
South by y e Needle to y e first Bounds mentioned —
a True Copy Examined —
per Matthew Wallace Pro 5 Clerk —
[5-1 So] [Petition for an Incorporation of the Town, 1773 .]
Province of New Hamp s
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq 1- Captain General,
Governor and Commander in Chief, in and over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire, and Vice Admiral of the Same
in Council : —
JAFFREY. 293
The Petition of Enoch Hale of Rindge, in the County of
Cheshire in the Province aforesaid Esq r in behalf of the Inbi-
tants of a Township commonly known by the Name of Monad-
nock N° 2 or middle Monadnock, unto Your Excellency &
Honours humbly Shews —
That the Said Township is now setled with more than forty
Families, And many more that have begun Settlements that
they will shortly remove on, That they are destitute of the
legal Privileges & Franchises of Corporate Towns, whereby
they suffer many Inconveniences for Want of Town Officers,
and especially at this Time, when they are taxed for the Sup-
port of the Government, but cannot legally assess or collect the
same, and are also unable to warn out any Poor, idle Vagrants,
That too frequently force themselves into New Towns, to the
manifest Injury of such Towns in particular, & the Province in
General
Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays (in behalf of his
Constituents, the Inhabitants aforesaid) That Y r Excell y &
Honours would be pleased to condescend, to indulge them with
the Corporate Priviledges of other Towns in this Province, for
the Purposes aforesaid, and That they may have a Charter
thereof, by such a New Name as your Excellency may think
proper to give unto said Township, and as in Duty bound, Yr
Petitioner & his Constituents shall ever pray —
Portsm Aug th 16 th 1773. Enoch Hale
[In answer to the foregoing, the town was incorporated
August 17, 1773. Col. Hale was employed by the town as
agent in the matter. — Ed.]
[5-18 1 ] [ Case of Assault before Courts were established in
the County, 7775.]
To the Honourable Provential Congress Gentelmen
Whereas M 1 * Benjemin Nutting of Petterborough Slip So
Called has Entred a Complaint to us the Sub rs (the Committee
of Corrispondance for the town of Jaffrey in the County of
Chesher and province of New hampshire) Against M r John
Davis Jun r of Jaffrey in the County and province Aforesaid,
that upon the Second day of October instant as he came to the
house of John Eaton in this town upon Some Bussiness he was
assulted By the Above said Davis and Abused in the Most
Solem maner as appears By Sundry Evidences Produced by S d
Nutting and Notwithstanding S d Davis was Notified to Attend
to hear the Evidence Examind he Refused to attend and he has
often Been Requested to Settle the matter But he Remains Ob-
stinate and persists in his Villany with insolence we have Care-
294 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
fully Examind the Evidences and have herein inclosed their
Depotions we Earnestly Desire you to take this Matter into
your Consideration and Either Determin the Matter Between
them, or invest this Committee with a proper Authority to Act
thereon also we Desire Some instructions how to proceed in
Said Case, Gentelmen your Complyance will Greatly Oblidge
your humble Servants
Dated at Jaffrey October y e 27 th 1775.
Testier Bailey ) n <u c
\\T'\\m o^ f Comittee of
Will™ lurner Y m • j
-d ^,.1 i Cornspondance
Roger (jilmore ) r
N. B this Davis Mentioned by the Evidences in their Depo-
tetions is the Same John Davis Jun r Mentioned Above
[Evidence relative to foregoing, .]
M r Eatons Evidence on the 2 d day of October 1775
I heard M r Nutting and m r Davis Disputing Concerning
Some Accompts Between them &M r Davis would have Nutting
ofYsett Some part of their accompt and he would not for some
Reasons which he then Mentioned and S d he would Die first
Davis S d then he Should Die then he Seized him By the Collar
and Struck him on the head twice and then Struck him on his
Shoulders three or four times and threatened him that he would
Strip his Skin off his Back and Break his Bones and knock his
teeth Down his throat and make him keep his Bed three weeks,
and then pulled him Down the hill toward the River and Said
he would throw him in the River But he did not and Struck
him again twice on the Road and then he Let him Come up
again to the house and then took him By the Shoulders and
Struck him twice again, & I heard him Say he had then taken
the Intrest and it Should Not Be Long Before he would have
the principal, and During the Whole Affair I did not hear M r
Nutting threaten nor abuse M r Davice Neither with bad Lan-
gage nor otherwise
John Eaton
Jaffrey October y e 27 th 1775
on the Second Day of October 1775. I Came to M r John
Eatons and I See John Davis Jun r take M r Benj n Nutting By
the Collar and Shak him and Strike him twice and threatened
he would pull him Down and throw him in the pond M r Nut-
ting Received all this Abuse with patiance and did not abuse
m r Davis with Bad Langage nor otherwise
Nehemiah Porter
Jaffrey October y e 27 th 1775
JAFFREY. 295
Sometime Since the Quarrel Between M r Nutting and m r
Davise these two Gentelmen above mentioned Meet accedenti-
aly at my house m r Daniel Davise Being also at my house we
Motioned to them to have them accomadat their Difficulty M r
Davise answered he wase in a passion But he Did not Care a
Divels tord about it and he Swore he had taken the Intrest and
he intended to have the principal soon
James Haywood
JarTrey October y e 27 th 1775
upon monday the 23 d Day of October instant M r Davise Came
to my house I asked what induced him to Quarrel with M r
Nutting he Said that their was No other way to Get his Dues
and all he was Sorry for was that he had No Given him as
much Again and that there was no other way to get his Debts
and that was as good a way as any he also told me of one man
that killed another at Nottingham Latley and Said their was no
Law if one man did kill another, he Said the Congress had put
the Above mentioned man in Goal But Could not do nothing
with him and was oblidged to Let him go
JarTrey October y e 27 th 1775.
John Stanley
[R. 2-1 19] [Petition of Daniel Russell, Soldier, 1777. ~]
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
of said State —
The Petition of Daniel Russell Humbly Sheweth that your
Petitioner Engaged in the service of his Country in the begin-
ning of the year 1777 and was wounded through his body the
19 of September following while fighting with the enemy near
Stillwater which wound Disabled him from fighting From
thence he was carried to Albony Hospitual where he Received
A Furlough as soon as he was able to Return Home, and im-
mediately put himself under the care of the best Surgeon, or
Surgeons he could Find, and was unable to Return to his Reg-
iment or any other corps, till October 1778 then went to Bos-
ton and was found unfit for any Duty and Received a furlough
of the Hon. Gen 1 : Gates and Returned Home and was under a
Necessity to put himself under the care of a surgeon and when
his Furlough was Expired then Returned to Boston and was
found unfit for any Duty and again furloughed and so from time
to time untill the three year he engaged for was Expired Then
the Honourable Court Put him under half pay as he was unable
to earn his support — The wound your Petioner received was
296 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
open from his side to his Back Almost five years by reason of
his Ribs being Fractured. * * *
Daniel Russell
Jaffrey June 3 d 17S3.
[He further stated that his pension was paid him in notes
that were of little value, and asked for some relief. In a
petition dated March 4, 1779, the said Russell stated that
he was in Capt. Blodgett's Co. of Col. Hale's Reg't ; that he
was furloughed at Albany October 20, 1777, and was eleven
days getting home, after which he was under the care of
Dr. John Young of Peterborough, and Dr. Jonas Prescott *
was examined in Boston by " Dr. John Warren, Surgeon
General." After that he was under the care of " Doc 1 ado-
nijah How of Jaffrey." March 5, 1779, Roger Gilmore and
Abrm. Bailey, selectmen, and Dr. How certified to his con-
dition as stated in his petetion. — Ed.]
[R. 2-122] \_Petition of Ephraim Adams, Soldier, 177Q .]
[In a petition dated Jaffrey, June 10, 1779, Ephraim Ad-
ams stated that he enlisted in the R. I. expedition in Au-
gust, 1778; took his horse with him, and said horse was
taken from him by order of Gen. Whipple for the use of the
army. He asked to be paid ^130, which was the sum ap-
praised by Roger Gilmore, Hugh Dunlop, and William
Turner, selectmen of Jaffrey. This petition was not grant-
ed, but one presented in 1786 was, to the extent of ,£15. —
Ed.1
[R. 2-126] [Soldiers' Orders.']
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire
S r Please to Pay to the Barrer Will" 1 Smiley all the Wagers
that is Due to me for my services in the year 1781 Per me
Benjamin Dole
Jaffrey Feb. 7
New Hampshire ) these may Certify that Benjamin Dole of
Cheshire ss ) Jaffrey in the County of Cheshire is Soule
heir to John Dole Late of Jaffrey Deceased who Dyed at Albany
march the 15 day 17S2
Joseph Thorndike Justice Peace
JafTrey Oct y c 14 th 1784
JAFFREY. 297
JafTrey Feb. 7 th 1785
To the Honourable John Taylor Gilman Esq 1- Treasurer for
the State of New Hampshire Sir Be pleased to pay the
bearer my whole wages which is due for three months service
in the Armey in the year Eighty one in Cap* Philip Thomas
Company and this shall be your discharge
£4, 14, 4. Asaph Brigham
[R. 2-127] [Petition of Lucy Wesson, 1782. ~]
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Councill and House of Representatives
of said state —
The Petition of the Widow Lucy Wesson Humbly Sheweth
that your Petitioners Husband Isaac Wesson inlisted into the
years service 177S and was born upon the musterroll till the
First of April 1779 and has not returned nor been hear of sence
but by the best information is Dead, your Petitioner is left with
a Family of small Children and stands in need of her Hus-
bands wages (what there is due) and cannot find out as there
is any way for her to come at them She prays therefore that
your Honours would take her case under your wise Considera-
tion and Grant her such Releaf as you in your wisdom shall
think Fit and she as in duty bound shall Ever pray.
JafTrey Sept. 12 1782
Lucy Wesson
This may Certifie all hoom it may con earn that Lucy Wes-
son was the wife of Isaac Wasson when he Entered the Con-
tenantal Sarvis
per us John Gilmore \
Benj a Prescott > Selitemen
James Stevens )
[Nov. 16, 1782, she was allowed four months' pay and
depreciation. — Ed.]
[R. 2-128] \_y antes Turner, Soldier. ~\
[In a petition dated Feb. 14, 1785, James Turner, of Jaffrey,
stated " that he served as a soldier in Cap 1 W m Scotts Com ny
& Col° Henry Jacksons Reg 1 in the Continantal Army,
three years." He further stated that he had not received
his allowance for depreciation : he asked to have it allowed,
which request was granted. — Ed.]
298 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-129] [Petition of Benjamin Dole, 1785, ,]
To the Honourable the Senate & House of Representatives
Convened at Portsmouth on the first Wednesday of June
1785-
The petition of Benj n Dole of JafTrey humbly sheweth that
his Brother John Dole who by will made your Petitioner his
heir did serve in the army the first eight months & being in the
Service constantly to his death had no opportunity to receive
his pay from the paymaster untill it died in the depreciation of
Continental money. This humbly prayeth your Honours in
your wisdom to interpose for your petitioner that he may not
be injured by his constancy in Public Service & your Petitioner
as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Jeffray May 1 785
Benjamin Dole
Exeter June 6 th 1785.
This may certify, that the wages due to John Dole was
£5, 8, 8, no application was ever made to me for his wages,
untill paper was taken out of circulation
attest Sam 1 Hobart P M
[John Dole was in Capt. Thomas's company, Col. James
Reed's regiment, at Winter Hill in 1775. The petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[5-^3] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.']
A return of the Number of male polls of JafTrey Twenty one
years of age & upwards paying a poll tax for themselves in said
town Viz one hundred & ninety polls
JafTrey December 13" 1 1783
Jedidiah Sawyer ~) Selectmen
John Briant Y of
Jereme Underwood ) Jaftrey
To the General Assembly of the State of New Hamshire —
Cheshire ss Jeffrey Dec r 10 th 1783
Then the Above Named John Briant & Jereme Underwood
personlly Appeared & made oath that they head in Makeing
out the Above Return Acted faithfully & Impartailey —
Before me Joseph Thorndike Just Peace.
JAFFREY. 299
[5-1 82 J \_Relative to Kendall Parsons, Soldier. .]
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
of said State —
The Petition of John Gilmore Humbly Sheweth that you
Petitioner did in the year 1779 hire Kindal Parson to Serve
in the armey one year and while the said Parson was absent
your Petitioner' Did Supply the s d Parsons Family with Neces-
saries of life and when the s d Parsons returned home finding his
Family in poor Circumstancies and could get no releaf without
a bondsman your Petitioner was bound for the said parson and
was obliged to pay the obligation, and could get no Satisfaction
Except an order upon his wages he had Coming from the State
and as the said Parson is now in the Army your Petitioner
Prays that your Honours would take his Case under your wise
Consideration and grant the said Parson's Wages according to
his order if it can be consistant and he as in duty bound shall
ever pray —
JafTrey June 7 1783.
John Gilmore
[5-184] [Petition for Authority to raise a Company of
Cavalry, 1786.^
May it please your Excellency
We the Subscribers inhabitants of the Town of JafTrey Beg
Leave to inform you that the inhabitants of the towns of JafTrey
Rindge Fitzwilliam and Marlborough in the County of Chesh-
ire do Conceive it highly Necessary for the better Regulation
of the Militia in these towns and the defence of this State that
one Company of Light horse be inlisted and formed out of the
Militia in the above mentioned towns and as the first Officer for
said Company (viz) the Cap* is the Naturel Right of the town
of JafTrey and we understand that the abovesaid towns have
Consented thereunto We would therefore for that purpose
Nominate and Recomend our trusty friend and well disposed
Citizen Namely Peter Jones as a person well Qualified for that
important trust and Whereas we whose Names are Under
written are determined to Join said Company if our wishes
take place w r e would intreat your favour to Appoint and Com-
mission the above Named person as Cap* of said Company as
soon as may be if your Excellency shall think proper, We in
the Mean time Relying on your friendly disposition toward the
Enlargement and defence of this state and being Senceble of
300 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Honourable Seat and Caracter you Sustain we willingly
Submitt our above-mentioned Requsition to your Wisdom to
Conduct as your Excellency shall think proper and we the
Subscribers as in duty bound shall Ever pray
Jaffrey Dec r y e 21 st 1786
Joseph Crosby David Gilmore James Davison
William Emery Moses Cutter Robert Harkness
Josiah french Jonas Adams Samuel Foster
Peter Bullard James Turner Alpheus Crosby
His Excellency John Sullivan Esq r General President and
Commander in Chief of the State of New-hampshire
[5-185] [Relative to Peterboro?igh Slip, 1787. ~\
Jaffrey June th 2 17S7
This may certify that at a Legal meeting of the Freeholders
and other inhabitants of the town of Jaffrey (qualified by Law
to vote in town meetings) meet on may the 10 — 1787 for the
Porpose of Seeing what the town would do in regrard of Peter-
borough Slip s haveing a mile off the east Part of Jaffrey. —
Voted unaimous not to let Peterborough Slip have any part
off the east part of S d town. Voted to Chuse a committee of
five men to Petision and Remonstrate the General Court of this
State that the Prayr of the Petision of Peterborough Slip be not
Granted Chose M r Laban Ainsworth Esq 1 " Roger Gilmore,
Lieu* Joseph Bates, Adonijah Howe Col n Jed h Sanger —
Voted that the Committee make a Draught and Lay the Same
before the town at an adjournment of this meeting Voted to ad-
journ this meeting to Thursday th 24 of May instant at three
O Clock afternoon May th 24 1787 the inhabitants of S d Jaffrey
being meet acording to adjornment the Remonstrance Draught-
ed by the affore Said Committee being read Voted to except the
same. Voted that the remonstrance be Presented to the Gen-
eral Court of this State
A true Coppy Attest
Adonijah Howe Town Clark of
Jaffrey
[5-186] [Protest against Setting Off a Poi'tion of the Town,
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss
To the Honorable the Senate and house of Representatives,
Conveened at Concord, in S d State, on the first Wednsday in
June
JAFFREY. 301
We the Subscribers, being a Comittee in Behalf of the town
of JafFrey, beg Leave to present this our Address and Remon-
strance to this Hon le Assembley, against a petetion that has
been perferred to the General Court at their Last Session, by
Com ee of the inhabitants of Sliptown, So Called, praying that a
Strip one mile wide may be taken off the Southeasterly part of
this our town of Jaffrey, and that the Same be Annexed to the
west end of Said Sliptown, Which Measure, if Admitted, will
Exceedingly injure, and destroy our publick priviledges and
Enfranchisments, which were granted and Confirmed by our
Charter to the inhabitants of Jaffrey and their Successors for
ever, and leave us in a State of Anarchy and Confussion, and
tend greatly to Create debates, divisions and anomosities among
the now peacefull inhabitants of this town, and as the altering
of Charters, and adding and Lessening of the Territory and
Jurisdiction of States and districts by the Brittish Ministry, in
the Late Revolution, were Some of the great Evils we Com-
plained of, as being Contrary to the true Spirit and design of
the English Constitution ; and in order to prevent these and
other unjust acts of the Brittish Parliament taking place in these
States, we Spent our Blood and Treasure, and obtained a Com-
pleat and Glorious Victory over all Opposition, So as we Con-
ceive this Greavance we hereby Remonstrate against, is in
Some measure Simaler, we do Apprehend that no authority
men, or Body of men, on any pertence whatever, have any
Right by Law, or by the Constitution, to alter, or deminish our
Terretory or Jurisdiction, or deprive us of any of the priviledges
and immunities granted, or Stipulated to us, by our Charter,
without our Consent. Neither do we imagine, that any per-
son, or people, have any Right to Require, or demand any of
our Sacred or Civil Rights, that are granted and Conveyed to
us, by our Charter and Seek to Agrandize, and build themselves
up upon the Ruins of any of our invaluable Rights and privi-
ledges, and in order the more fully, and Effectualy to Represent
to your lion 8 the great Evil, and obstructive tendancy, which the
above mentioned Greivance, if Carried into Execution, will
produce in this town, we will hereby, Lay before your hon rs , a
detail of Some of the Evils, and disadvantages that will Nature-
ly attend this measure if admitted, in the first place, we have
Raised, and finished on an Eminence a Large, and Statly meet-
ting house, 60 by 45 feet, and near 30 feet post, Verry near the
Centre of our town, we have Laid out ten acres of a Common,
on which the Meetting house Stands, and have Cleared the
Same, and Spent thereon a great deal of Labor, we have laid
out on Said Common a Large Burreing Yard, and fenced the
Same with great Stone wall, and there is a great Number in-
terred there, we have Settled a Minister, and given him a large
302 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
farm adjoining Said Common, and he has built him a Large
house and Barn Verry Near the meetting house, and their is on
the East Side line of Said Common a Row of Large and Ele-
gant Buildings, which together with the Meetting house makes
a Beautiful appearance, and the Roads in Said Jaffrey are laid
out, and opened, Leading to the meeting house So as to Con-
veen the whole town, and the town is divided into School dis-
tricts, and Some of these districts have built their School
houses, and as the town is now Scituated, the Most Remote in-
habitants are Content, and the whole town is Compleatly Unit-
ed, and Chearfuly Contributes for the Support of its publick
priviledges, but Should this unhappy Measure take place the
western part of the inhabitants of this town will make applica-
tion for the priviledges above mentioned to be moved to a New
Center and the grounds westward from the meetting being Low
and Swampy and Verry inconvenant for a New Center would
Create an Ever lasting Quarrel and dispute amongst us and
be attended with great Cost and trouble, Moreover their is a
Verry great mountain in this town and a great Number of
Large ponds which Renders about the fourth part thereof not
habitable besides a great deal of other wast Land which makes
the habitable part of this town but barely Sufficient to maintain
our minister and Support our publick priviledges also the in-
habitants that would be taken off, provided one mile is Set off
to Sliptown is Unanimosly against being Set off as it would
greatly discomode them in their publick priviledges and Cause
them to be at the Expence of Begining all anew to Build a
meetting house and Settle a Minister and then be a great dis-
tance from their Centre when at the Same time they have Con-
tributed their porportion here for the Same priviledges and in
order to Manifest their desire they have hereunto Set their
names, furthermore as Sliptown does lay only against about the
one half of the East part of this town their would be a Leg
about one mile wide Left which if the meetting house Should
be Removed would leave the inhabitants of this leg at a great
disadvantage, also the County line is between this town and
Sliptown and if one mile is Set off one part will be in this
County and the other part in another County and as Sliptown
is Now Nearly Six miles from East to west one mile taken from
this town would make it almost Seven miles long and about
two or three miles Broad we Cannot Conceive any advantage it
would be to Sliptown to take one mile from the South East
part of this town and add it to that
The above mentioned Reasons Contain a part of the evils and
disadvantages that would attend Such a Seperation in the mean
time we Refer the above matter to your Wise Consideration and
flatter our Selves that your wisdom will interpose in our behalf
JEFFERSON,
303
and deliver your Remonstrants from the Evils that threaten us
and we as in duty bound Shall ever pray
Jaffrey may y e 24 th 1787
Laban Ainsworth "1
Roger Gilmore
Joseph Bates
Adonijah Howe
Jed h Sanger
► Committee
We the Sub 1 * 8 being inhabitants of that part of Jaffrey which
is prayed for in the petition of Peterborroughslip do hereby give
our Consent to the within Address and Remonstrance and have
hereunto Set our Names
Benj a Prescott
Nathan Cutter
William Pope
David Stratton
Moses Burdoo
Benj a Nuting
oliver Gould
Oliver Prescott
James Cutter
JEFFERSON
The township was granted October 3, 1765, to Col. John
Goffe of Derryfield and others, in 64 equal shares, by the
name of Dartmouth. As in case of most of the Wentworth
grants, one share was reserved for a glebe for the Episcopal
church ; one share for the first settled minister ; one share
for the benefit of the " Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts ; " and one share for the benefit of
a school in said town.
The proprietors not making settlements agreeably to said
grant, it was regranted June 26, 1772, with new boundaries,
to Hon. Theodore Atkinson and other influential men in
different parts of the state, among whom were Col. Joseph
Hammond, Col. Josiah Willard, and others from Cheshire
county. Col. Joseph Whipple and Samuel Hart, of Ports-
mouth, made settlements in the town soon after the regrant,
but the population increased slowly, and there were but
twenty-four families in town in 1793.
304 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
It was incorporated with town privileges December 8,
1796, and named in honor of Thomas Jefferson.
By an act of the legislature, approved December 7, 1842,
some territory was severed frem Kilkenny, and annexed to
this town.
[5-190] \_yokn Goffe relative to Township Bounds, 1770.]
Province of New Hampsh r
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys
Province aforesaid in Council —
The Petition of John Goffe of Derryfield in said Province
Esq 1- , in behalf of Himself and the other Proprietors of the
township of Dartmouth unto y r Excellency & the Honourable
Council most humbly shews
That your Petitioners obtained a Grant of the said Township
from Benning Wentworth Esq 1- late Governor of this Province
in Behalf of his Majesty, with whom y r Petitioners entred into
certain Stipulations on their part to be done and performed in
Settlement of said Township, which they humbly beg leave to
assure y r Excell y & Honours that they should have fulfilled, but
the Want of Roads, the scarcity of Grain, the distance of its
Situation from Settlements, and in a more especial manner, the
Difficulty they have been at to ascertain the Locality of said
Township by Reason of the Bounds of Lancaster being very
loose & uncertain through the Geography of the River of Con-
necticut not being at the time of their said Grant particularly
known, as it has since by actual Survey been found, whereby it
made a material alteration in y e bounds of s d Lancaster, and
consequently affected the Lines of Dartmouth, all which Diffi-
culties have necessitated y r Petitioners to supplicate v r Excel-
lency & Honours to extend your favours, by granting them a
further time to fulfill their Charter, as they are determined to
pursue it having got clear of chief of those embarrassments and
been at great expence in compleating their necessary Roads
which are especially and materially conducive to their Designs
— Wherefore they humbly pray y r Excell y & Honours to grant
the Prayer of this Petition for the Reasons sett forth, and as in
Duty bound, y r Petitioners will ever pray. —
Portsm Dec r 12 th 1770
John Goffe
[This extension was not granted, but the township was
regranted to other parties, June 26, 1772. — Ed.]
JEFFERSON. 305
[5-1 88] [ Order to survey a Tract of Land for David Page,
1773-]
Province of New Hampshire —
To M r Edwards Bucknam of Lancaster in said Province —
You are hereby required and directed to survey and admeas-
ure and plainly and impartially to mark out for M r David Page
(who is to pay your Expence) a tract of Crown Land in said
Province to contain one thousand acres & no more, and make
return thereof into my office with all convenient speed for which
this shall be your sufficient warrant.
Dated at Portsm the 26 th day of January 1773
Is : Rindge
[Isaac Rindge was surveyor-general of lands for the prov-
ince. The following is Bucknam's return : — Ed.]
this Plan was Laid Down in the form that David Page Esq r
Proposed to have it Laid out to him at y e South Easterly cor-
ner of Dartmouth as he had a warrant By order of Court from
the Surveyor general for the survey of 1000 acres of Land where
he should Please to Pitch it, in any ungranted Lands, which
warrant was Directed to me
Edw d Bucknam Surveyor of Land
[The plan is a rude rectangular parallelogram, represent-
ing a tract 320 by 500 rods, bounded on the north by Dart-
mouth line. — Ed.]
[5-191] \_Petition for an Act of Incorporation, lygj.]
State of New Hampshire.
To the honorable Senate, and house of representatives convened
in general assembly.
The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of a place called
Dartmouth, in the County of Grafton, and State of New
Hampshire, humbly sheweth, that said Dartmouth is inhabited
by twenty four families, which labor under many inconven-
iences for want of legal authority to conduct town business, in
consequence of which, they suffer much on account of high-
ways being neglected, which not only injures the inhabitants,
but has a tendency to retard further settlement : wherefore your
22
306 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
petitioners pray this honorable court to consider their case, and
incorporate them into a town, that they may be vested with
such authority as other towns within said State by law exercise-
and enjoy. And your petitioners shall ever pray
Dartmouth 29 th May 1793.
John Marden J onn holmes
Samuel Hart Samuel holmes
Richard Stalbird Elijah Moulton
James Rider
[In H. of Rep., June 12, 1793, a hearing was ordered for
the second Thursday of the next session. Notice was to
be published in the N. H. Gazette, and posted in the town,
which Samuel Marden, on the eighteenth of December,
1793, certifies was done. This petition was not granted,
and another was presented by Col. Joseph Whipple, as agent
for the town, dated May 20, 1796, which was granted. — Ed.]
KEENE.
This was one of the Massachusetts grants, made in ac-
cordance with a vote of the general court of that province
of July, 1733. On the 19th of October following, a commit-
tee, consisting of Joseph Kellog, Timothy Dwight, and
William Chandler, was appointed to lay out the townships
on Ashuelot river forthwith. They reported in February,
1734, and the township was lotted in May or June follow-
ing. The first proprietors' meeting was held in Concord,
Mass., June 26, 1734; and in September following Jeremiah
Hall, Daniel Hoar, Josiah Fisher, Elisha Root, Nathaniel
Rockwood, Seth Heaton, and William Puffer visited Upper
Ashuelot, as the place was called, and held a proprietors'
meeting. Some settlements were made, and a fort built
soon after, but the town was abandoned in 1746, in conse-
quence of the atrocities of Canadian Indians, and not again
occupied until 1750.
The settlement of the province line determined the town-
ship to be within the limits of New Hampshire ; and a peti-
tion, dated February 2, 1753, was addressed to the govern-
or, asking to have the grant confirmed, and the township
KEENE. 307
chartered. Their request was granted, the town being in-
corporated April 11, 1753, and named by the governor in
honor of Sir Benjamin Keene, an English baronet.
The main street was originally laid out but four rods
wide, and the city owes a debt of gratitude to the proprie-
tors, who, at a meeting held September 30, 1736, voted to
widen it, giving the proprietors of the lots on the west side
four rods wide on the rear of their lots, they surrendering
four rods in front, thus making a beautiful street eight rods
in width, which is admired by all visitors.
The north-east corner of the town was set off September
27, 1787, united with portions of Gilsum, Stoddard, and
Packersfield, and incorporated into the town of Sullivan.
Another portion was set off from the east side December
9, 18 12, united with portions of Packersfield and Marlbor-
ough, and incorporated into the town of Roxbury.
An act passed the legislature in 1865, granting a city
charter, but they refused to adopt the same. Another act
was passed July 3, 1873, which was adopted.
Col. Isaac Wyman was Lieut. Col. in the First Regiment
under Stark in 1775, and until appointed colonel in July,
1776. Among other prominent Revolutionary men were
Samuel Wetherbee, Davis Howlett, and William, Timothy,
and Benjamin Ellis, all of whom held commissions, and did
good service in the field.
Keene owes much of its beauty to the good sense of the
inhabitants in years past in keeping intact, in many instan-
ces, the original lots, thus giving ample grounds around
their residences, and avoiding that crowded and irregular
appearance that mars so many of our New England cities.
[5-194! and 195 are ancient plans of Keene and Swan-
zey. — Ed.]
[5-196] \_Agent appointed to get the Town incorporated,
We whose Names are Hereunto Subscribed Inhabitants of
the upper Ashuelot for a Long time Labour under many Great
Difficulties for want of Town Priviledges we Do Therefore
Hereby Constitute and Impower our Trusty friend Cap* Jere-
miah Hall to Represent our Difficulties to his Excellency the
308
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Governor of New Hampshire and to Any Others Concerned
In that affair that we may be Incorperated Into a Town and
Likewise we give power to him to Chuse a man to asist him In
the affaires
Upper Ashuelot February y e 11 th 1750
William Smeed
Ebenezer Nims
David Nims
Ephraim Dorman
Nathan Fairbanks
Joseph Elles
Jonathan Under-
wood
John Rogers
Nathan Blake
Ebenezer Day
Gideon Ellis
Michaell Medcalf
Michaell medcalf jr
Oliver Medcalf
Abijah medcalf
Jabez Hill
David Foster
Amos Foster
[5-197] \_yeremiah Stiles appointed Agent to obtain an
Act of Incorporation, i/jo.^
We the Subscribers Do hereby Impower Cap 1 Jeremiah Hall
to Pertition In our behalf for the Upper Township on Ashuelot
River where we Dwell to his Excellency the Governour of
New Hampshire and all Concern'd in that affair In the same
form that it was laid out by the Massachusetts
Upper Ashuelot Feb ry 1 "
William Smeed
Ebenezer Nims
David Nims
Ephraim Dorman
Nathan Fairbanks
Joseph Elles
Nathan Blake
1750
Ebenezer Day
Gideon Ellis
Michael Medcalf
Jabez Hill
David Foster
Oliver medcalf
Michaell medcalf jr
Abijah medcalf
Jonathan underwood Samuell Hall
John Rogers Jesse Hall
Elijah Dorman
[5-1 98] [Jo /in and Ruth Dinsmoor's Petitio?i, iyjo.~\
Prov of Newham shore
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Govor" &c In &
over his Majestys Province of New hampshore
The Peti on of John Densmoor & Ruth Densmoor his Wife
Humbly Shews that Josiah Fisher of upper Ashaulott In the
Province of Newhamshore decesed Late Husband of the said
Ruth had In his Lifetime a Grant from the Massachusettets
Goverment of one Whole Wright or Share In s d township &
that In his Lifetime Bult an house & Cleard & In proved Near
forty acres of Land In s d township & In the Begining of the
KEENE. 3O9
War with y e Endins the s d Josiah Was Killed & the s d Ruth y e
Wedow of the Dec sd was left with out any Children by the de-
ces d But she still Continued att y e said Ashualuett & In proved
s d Lands tell y e Endins Drove of the In habitance of s d town &
Sence the Sasition of arms the s d Ruth with hir Present Hus-
band hath fenced & In Proved the s d Lands afore s d wharefore
your Petitioners Humbly Pray that your Exellency Would be
plesed to Grant to your Petioners the s d Lands afore s d upon the
Condition that your Exellency grants to others y e Kings subjects
In s d Province & your Petioners In duty Bound Shall Ever
Pray —
Nov m y e 8 th 1750 John Dunsmoor
Ruth Dunsmoor
[5-199] \_Benjamin Guild appointed to assist Capt. Stiles. ]
We whose Names are Hereunto Subscribed Being Proprie-
tors of the Upper Ashuelot Township so called Do hereby Im-
power M r Benjamin Guild to joyne with Cap* Jeremiah Hall in
Petitioning His Exelency the Govoner of the Province of New
Hamshire He observing the Instructions Given by others of the
Propriators to the said Cap* Hall
Wrentham Feb r 20 th 1750
John Whiting Asa Richardson Abigail Guild
Daniel Haws Sarah Greene Robart Blak
Joseph Fisher Joseph Richardson Seth Heaton
Samuel Fisher Daniell maceene Elijah Blake
Benjamin Guild William Hancock Josiah Fisher for the
Obediah Blake Samuel Danils hares of Aaron
Ebenezer Daniells Esther Messenger Fisher
Nathaniel Ware Jonathan Whiting Nathan Bucknam
Hannah Dale Jacob Bacon
Abner Ellis Nath 11 Fairbnks
[5-200] ^Petition for an Incorporation of the Town, iffi.']
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty s Province of
New Hampshire and to the Honorable his majestys Councill
for said Province
The Petition of Jeremiah Hall and Benjamin Guild in behalf
of them Selves and others Inhabitants Setlers and Proprietors
of a certain Tract of land Called the upper Township on Ash-
310 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
uelot River in the Province of New Hampshire on the East
side of Connecticut River (a plan of which Tract of land is
herewith presented) most humbly Sheweth, that in the year
1737, in virtue of a Grant from the massachusets Government,
a plantation was begun on said Tract of land — That in the year
1738 a minister was settled there and a meeting house built —
That before the last Indian War with the Indians there were
Thirty one Dwelling houses built on said Tract of land Sundry
barns and a Fort of near a hundred foot square having eighteen
fire Rooms within said fort a Saw mill and Grist mill built —
that the setlers and others who were preparing for setling there
before the Indian War had made large Improvements there and
laid out their Substance in doing the Same —
That in the Spring of y e year 1747 — The Indians burnt down
all the dwelling Houses there except four — also burnt down
all the Barns but one also burnt down the meeting house and
the Fort also much household Stuff' and killed Considerable
Cattle Horses Sheep and Swine That the s d Settlers and Pro-
prietors are returnd and returning on to the said Tract of land
in order to cultivate and Improve the same and in case a peace
Continues with the Indians in a few years there will be forty
or fifty familys in case there was an Incorporation — Wherefore
your Petitioners most humbly Pray your Excellency and Hon-
ours to Incorporate the s d Tract of land agreeable to the bounds
thereof by the plan annexed and grant to your Petitioners and
others their Constituents such Immutys and Privileges as other
Towns Enjoy in this Province & your Petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray &c
March y e 4 th 1 750/1 Jeremiah Hall
Benjamin Guild
[5-201 ] \_Another Petition for an Incorporation of the Town,
1753 '•]
Upper Ashualot Feb" y e 2 d 1753
We whose names are underwritten Do hereby Authorize and
Impower our Trusty Friend M r Ephraim Dorman to Prefer a
Petition to his Excellency the Govcrnour of New Hampshire
for a Township known by the Name of the Upper Ashuelot
and to Pray his Excellency to Grant a Charter of this Land to
the Inhabitants and others Concerned in said Lands and to In-
sert a Clause in said Petition Praying his Excellency that if it
might be Consistent with his Pleasure he would Insert a Clause
in his Charter whereby every man may be Intitled to those
Lands which he Thought himself to be the Honest owner of
KEENE. 311
lie Paying the Charges that have arisen on said Lands to Pre-
vent Endless Law-Suits and other Difficulties Impending over
■us and to set forth in said Petition the Great Cost and Expence
we have been at in Building two Forts and Defending the
Kings Lands and the Great Losses we have Sustained by the
Enemy as set forth in the Petition Lodged with M r Atkinson
Secretary and to take the Names Lodged with M r Livermore
and annex to said Petition
Jeremiah Hall Samuel Reed Isaac Clark
William Barnes Benjamin Larrabee Nathan Blake
Ebenezer Daniells David Foster Michael medcalf ju
Jabez Hill Benjamin Twichell Joseph Elles
Timothy Harington David Nims Gideon Ellis
Daniel Twitchel Ebenezer Day Eleazer Sanger ,
Amos Foster William Smeed Jonah French
Titus Belding Ebenezer Nims
[The foregoing petition was successful, and a charter was
granted April 11, 1753. — Ed.]
[5-202]
At a Legal meeting of the Town of Keen in Dec r 1776 made
Choice of Capt Jeremiah Stiles for a Justice of the Peace in
said Town
Attest Ichabod Fisher Town Clerk
£5-203] [Relative to Innoculation for Small-Pox, iyy6.~\
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire The petition of us the Subscribers
Freeholders of the Town of Keen in the County of Cheshire
Humbly Sheweth —
Whearas Sundry Persons have Set up houses in this Town
for the purpose of Inoculating for the Small pox, by which
Means the Small pox has been Spread and Still Continues to
Spread in this and other Towns, to the Great Determent of the
publick Good — and a Number of Usefull members of Society
have lost their Lives thereby and the prosecution of mens Nec-
essary Callings Rendered Dangerous — and the Repeated En-
deavour of the Towns to lay Persons Concer'd und proper
Restrictions and Regulations — have been inefectual We there-
312 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
fore your Petitioners humbly Pray that you would in Your
wisdom So Interpose by Your Authority that a Speedy and an
Effectual Stop may be put thereto for the present — as Your
Petitioners in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray.
Keen Novem r 22 d 1776
Jer h Stiles Benj Archer Jun Josiah Ellis
Isaac Estey Jesse Clark Timothy Ellis Jun r
Ebenezer Nims Thomas Field Elisha Briggs
Reuben Partridge William Goodenow Nathaniel Briggs
Gideon Ellis June r Joseph Blake Benj a Balch
Robart Spencer W m Ellis Cephas Clark
Jonathan Pond Aaron Gray John Balch
Ebenezer Day Aaron Gray Jun r Jonethan Archer
John Day Jesse Hall Abner Ralston
Jedediah Wellman Ebenezer Newton
Stephen Larrabe Abijah Metcalf
Nathaniel kings- Ryal Blake
buery Henry Elles
[5-205] Petition for a Lottery for the Purpose of Building
a Bridge, 1778.^
To the Honorable the Council and General Assembly of the
State of New Hampshire —
The Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Keen in the
County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire ; Humbly
Sheweth —
Whereas by Reason of the Scituation of the Town of Keen
Several Rivers and Large Streams of Water Centre in Said
Town which Causes a Large Number of Bridges and Caus-
ways to be Necesary in Said Town ; and by the Rapidity of
some of said Rivers Especially in Time of high water it very
often happens that Bridges are Carried off which has been of
Great Cost and Charges to the Inhabitance and Likely so to
Remain Especially Upon a Certain Rapid Stream Called the
East Branch of Ashuelot River where of Late a Large Bridge
is almost Ruin'd and the Banks of Said Stream being of Loose
Gravel it often happens they are torn and the Course of the
Stream much Altered and makes it almost Impossible to make
a Bridge to Stand any Considerable Time which Causes great
Difuculty and Danger to Travelers Espeiallv in high water —
However there is a Certain place upon said Stream at some
Distance from place now used — where a Bridge might be made
KEENE. 313
that would much Beter Accomodate Travelers to Boston Ports-
mouth or any other Port then the place now Used but the Town
by Reason of so many Other Bridges are not Able to Build
one at said place as the Cost would be considerable ; we there-
fore your Humble Petitioners pray in the Name and behalf of
the Town that your Honours in your Wisdom would Order
and Appoint Some way that we may have Some Assistance
Either by Granting a Publick Lottery or any other way which
your Honours Shall think proper it being a Road much Used
from Different parts of the Contry with which if your Honours
Do Comply your Humble Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall
ever pray
Keen May 14 th 1778
Jeremiah Stiles
Silas Cook ]- Select men
Simeon Clark
N B : It is Suposed that the Sum of 6500 Dollars would be
a Suficient Sum to make a Good Bridge and Causway at Said
place
[5-204] \_Relative to a Lottery for the Purpose of Building
a Bridge, iy/8.~\
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representitives of
the State of New Hampshire the Petition of the Subscribers
being Select men of the Towns of in said state
in Behalf of said Towns Humbly Sheweth —
Whereas your Petitioners are Informed That the Town of
Keen have Petitioned praying Your Honours to Grant them As-
sistance by a Lottery to Enable them to Build a Bridge over a
Certain Rapid Stream Known by the Name of the East Branch
We therefore your Petitioners being Senseable of the Great
Benefit that would Accrue to the Publick thereby, and at the
Time Knowing the multitude of Bridges and Casways which
the Inhabitance of said Town Are Obliged to Build and Keep
in Repair and the Charges of the Same by Reason of Freshets
which often happens and also the Great Probability of a Bridge
standing Safe in the place which is proposed, together with the
Good Accomodation of the place to Every Publick Road — We
therefore humbly Pray that the Petition of said Town of Keen
may be Granted Being of Opinion that it will be a Great Pub-
lick Benefit it being a Place which maybe passed in high water
with much more Safety than the old Road that Lead thro' In-
tervals and Low Grounds — which Petition if your Honours in
314 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
your wisdom think proper to Grant, we Your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound Shall ever pray.
July 23 d 177S
Joseph Greenwood j Selectmen
Reuben Morse
of
Eli Morse
j Dublin
Roger Gil more
\ Selectmen
Abr m Bailey
of
John Stanley
) Jaftrey
Enoch Hale
} Selectmen
Edw d Jewett
of
Francis Towne
j Rindge
[I fail to find any action of the legislature on this matter.
-Ed.]
[5-206] [Relative to Trial of several Royalists, 1777. ~\
Walpole Sep* 9 th 1778
The State of New Hampshire To Nath 11 S. Prentice D r
agreeable to their order of the 22 th Aug 1 Last past Directing me
to pay Cap 1 Benj n Floods pay Roll To Cash paid Cap 1 Benj a
Flood toward S d Roll, £29, 10, o as pr. Receipt
To Cash paid by Col Benj a Bellows out of the money Lent
toward Carring on gun making in his hands as p r receipt
47, 2, 6
Total of the Roll £76, 12, 6
Return of the names of the Persons found guilty of missde-
menors against the States by a Special Session held at Keen
June 1777 as p r minutes on file with the sum fin d & order
thereon
John Gould 40.?
Alexander Rolstone 40.?
Paul Richardson 40.?
Nathan Rugg 40.?
Rev d Clement Sumner 40J
Cap 1 Henry Coffin 20s
Sam 11 King 40.?
John White 405
Simon Willard 105
Total £29-10-0
Col Josiah Willard
20s
Maj r Josiah Willard
Eleazer Pomroy
305
20s
Eben r Harvey
Rev d Micah Lawrence
40.9
2 05
Benj 11 Mellvin
40JT
Benj a Mellvin Jr
Nathan Willard
40.?
I OS
Joseph Collins
20s
Sam 11 Wadsworth
405
KEENE. 315
Ordered that the several Persons fin d for Misdemenor, Re-
cognize in the sum of £500 as Principal with Two Surties to be
of a Peacable Behaviour towards the State & to be Confin d
within certain Limits untill this Court or Sum other Authority
shall Discharge them therefrom —
order* 1 that Cap* Benj a Flood Receive £12 — out of the fine-
money to Billit his guard with he to acct therefor —
order d that the Remainder of the fines be Reposited in the
hands of Nath 1 S. Prentice Esq to wait the County Sessions or-
der thereon
a Coppy from the minutes on file
Nath 1 S. Prentice Clerk of s d Sessions
[Some of the evidence used at said trial may be found in
Vol. VIII, page 593. Ebenezer Harvey, Pomeroy, and
King were ordered to confine themselves to the limits of
their farms in Chesterfield, but were released from said
bonds and limits April 7, 1778, by recommendation of the
committee of safety of said town. — Ed.]
[5-207] \_yeremiah Stiles chosen Magistrate, 1777. ~]
At a Legal meeting of the Inhabitance of the Town of Keen
on January the 14 th 1777 — Voted that Cap* Jeremiah Stiles of
this town be in Nomination for a Justice of the Peace for this
County
Attest Ichabod Fisher Town Clerk
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire — Humbly Shews,
We the subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of Keene in the
County of Cheshire, beg leave to inform your honours, that
Cap 4 Jeremiah Stiles, at a legal meeting of this Town, as may
appear by the copy of the vote hereto annexed, was unani-
mously nominated for a Justice of the Peace : And, for reasons,
not known to us, is not appointed. * *
Keene, October 12, 1779
Abraham Wheeler James Wright Zadok Wheeler
Benjamin Osgood David Willson Daniel Willson
Abraham Wheeler iuEphraim Wright John Houghton
Ebenezer Cook Benjam Osgood Ju Davis Howlett
Isaac Griswold Alpheus Nims
[They requested his appointment, and it was granted. —
Ed.]
3 16 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-132] [Deserters from the Army, 1777.']
Deserted from Cap 1 John Griggs's Company in Cor 1 Scam-
mills Rig 1 Epraim Hall 24 years of age Six feet high Dark hair
Blew Eyes Light Colered Cloths formerly belonged to Lyn :
Whosoever will take up S d Deserter and Return him to his
Company att Keen or N° 4 : in the State of New Hampshire
shall have a harnsom Reward and all Nesesary Charges Paid
by me
John Griggs Cap 1
Keen May y e 5 th 1777
[He also advertises for one Nathan Gale, " 21 yers of age
6 feet Hi Well Set Dark hair."— Ed.]
[R. 2-133] [Documents relative to Capt. Samuel Weather-
bee, 1778.']
I Davise Howlett of Keen in the County of Cheshire and
Province of Newhampshire, testifieth and saith that Eighty five
men appeared on mount Independence that belonged to Cap 4
Sam 11 Weatherbees Company in the year 1776 and that two
other men enlisted by s d Capt Weatherbee, Namely Roswell
Shephard who Died of the Small Pox as I was informed and
Tho s Wilder who to my knowledge Did Die of the Small Pox
before march d
Keen feb ry 10-1778
Davis Howlett Lieu 4
[Sworn to before Isaac Wyman. — Ed.]
[ Col. Wyman 's Certzfcate.~]
This may Certifle whome it may Concern that Cap 4 Sam 11
Weatherbe First & Largest Return of his Company was 84
men Test
Isaac Wvman
[R. 2-134] \_Dcftositio7i of Ebe7iezer Putnam. ~\
Charlestown Jan r 23 th 177S
Deposition of Eben' Putnam Being of Lawful age Doth tes-
tify and say that some time in July 1776 Cap' Weatherbee ask d
KEENE. 317
me what I would give him to Discharge me : I told him Noth-
ing where uppon he told me that he would Discharge me for
Twenty Dollars or five weeks work I told him I would give it
then he turned about and went and got a man to go in my
Rhoom and I set of to go home but Before I got home I got
sick of My Bargain and went and told him I would go My Self
and pay him for his trouble for gitting the man he told me if I
w r ould go and tell the man that I would go into the Service that
should pay the s d Cap' for his trouble after I was Inlisted I ast
the Cap' if he was willing that I should take the Small Pox he
said No by No means for perhaps we may be call d for before
you will be Ready to march then I was advis d by Cap' Geer
and M r Olcott to ask Col Hunt advise about the matter where
upon he said he would advise any man that was a going to
Enocolate as he thought it was not safe to go without
Ebenezer Putnam
Sworn before Benj a Bellows.
[R. 2-135] \_Jokn Harfs Discharge, 1776. ~\
Charlestown august 6 th 1776 —
These may Certify That in Consideration of Ten dollars To
me In hand paid by John Hart I do hereby discharge him from
my Company in The Continential Service in Col Wymans
Regiment of the New hampshire forces as witness my Hand
Sam 11 Wetherbe Cap'
[R. 2-137]
[This document is the resignation of Major Timothy
Ellis, dated Keene, October 19, 1779. — E°-]
[R. 2-138] [Substitute for Nehemiah Town, 1780.^
These may certifie That I Josiah Reed of Chickaby in
Springfield in Consideration of Certain agreements Between
Nehemiah Town of Keen in the State of Newhampshire and
myself have Engaged and do hereby Engage to serve in his
Room & Stead in the Newhampshire Lines for the Town of
Keen for the space of six months as witness my hand at Spring-
field July y e 20 th 1780
Josiah Read
3 18 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-140] \_Nchemiah Brown, wounded Soldier.~\
To home it may Conserne
This May Certifye that Nehemiah Brown a Soldier in the
Melisha in the Battel at Loomes Cock in the year 1777 was
Shot throw his Leg was under my Caire & was not fitt for anny
busness for for or five month
Tho 8 Frink Surgeon to s d Brown
Keene y e 14 th of Octob r 1785
[R. 2-141] [Petition of Charles Rice, Bunker Hill Soldier^
To the honb'le the Senate and house of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened at Concord. —
Humblv Shews, Chaides Rice of Keene, that in the year
1775 being a Soldier in Captain Jeremiah Stiles's Company &
Col John Stark's Regiment he received a most distressing
wound through the breast at the memorable battle of Bunker
Hill — which has ever since rendered it impossible for* him to
gain a comfortable subsi stance for himself — much more for a
numerous family which daily look to him for that assistance
which he would most readily afford were it in his power. —
That your petitioner has never received the least assistance from
his Country being entirely ignorant of any feasible method of
making application — He therefore prays your Honorable body
to compassionate his case and lend him such assistance as in
your clemency you shall judge proper — And as in duty bound
ever prays
Jeremiah Stiles in behalf of the petitioner
[He petitioned again May 19, 1795, complaining that he
had not been allowed for "arrears of pension," and desired
to have the legislature intercede in his behalf. — Ed.]
[5-20S] [ Warrant from Vermont for the Elect ion of Two
Representatives, iy8i.~\
State of Vermont
In generall Asembly Windsor Aprell 7 th 17S1
to either of the constabels of the town of keen in the County
of Cheshire greeting — Where as by a late union of the whole of
the New Hampshir grants with the state of Vermont a solid and
KEENE. 3I9
permanant basis is laid for one free Sovering and independant
State the union of indivudills the right of the peopell and the
exigencys of afairs the arangement of oficers the estableshment
of govermant and the vigirous aforts of this state to be made
against the comon enemy requires an imeadiate full and fair rep-
resentation of the peopell at this Asembly these are therefore
to direct you upon sight hereof to warn all the freeholders and
other inhabitants in s d town of keen that have a right by law to
vote to asembell at the usuall place for holding town meetings
in s d town as soon as may bee and that you then and their call
upon them to bring in their votes succesivelly for two represen-
tatives of Said town to take their seats forthwith in this hous as
law directs that you make declaration of the persons chosen and
return the same to this Asembly
excrats from the Journalls
by order of asembly
Noah hopkins Clark
[Keene voted against the union with Vermont, and did
not send any representative. — Ed.]
[5-209] [John Batch, Post- Rider, i/ r Si.']
State of New Hampshire
In Com tee of Safety Exeter July 27 th 1781
Pursuant to a Vote of the General Assembly of the 27 th of
June 17S1, Authorizing the Committee of Safety to establish a
Post to ride from Portsmouth to the western part of this State
and agreeable to the Proposal of M r John Balch of Keene, He
the said John Balch is hereby appointed a Post to ride for the
term of three months, to set out from Portsmouth on Saturday
morning & to ride to Haverhill by the way of Concord & Ply-
mouth, and thence clown the River to Charlestown, Keene and
to Portsmouth again, which Tour is to be punctually performed
once in each & every fourteen days during said term, unless
this Committee shall think it most convenient for the public
Good, that the said Balch should sometimes alter his rout.
The said Balch is to Convey all public Acts, Letters & Dis-
patches free of Charge — For which Service he shall receive
from this State seventy hard Dollars or paper money equiva-
lent. —
M Weare Pres*
I, John Balch do hereby agree to the foregoing proposals and
engage punctually to perform the duty of Post-rider agreeably
thereto — John Balch "
320
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-210] [Timothy Batch, Post-Rider, 1785. ~\
To the Honble General assembly of the State of New Hamp r
Now Convein'd at Portsmouth — in Said State —
Humbly shews,
Timothy Balch of Keen in this State
That he has been a public Carrier for near two years from
Portsmouth to Charlestown in the County of Cheshire which
Rout he has perform'd once a Fortnight — except in exceeding
bad Traveling and the pay he has had for carrying News pa-
pers and private letters has been very inadiquate to his Labour
Expence &c
That when your Petitioner engaged in this Service he had
encouragement from the Committie of Safty and the Treasurer
of this State for a proper compensation for the Business Your
Petetioner from time to time Should do for the public and as
almost two years is expired Since he engaged in this Service
wou'd be glad Some Allowance might be made him therfor —
Your Petitioner therefore most Humbly prays that vour Hon-
ers wou'd take the Matter under Consideration and grant Such
Relief as the Case and Service Requires — and he as in duty
bound Shall Ever pray &c —
Tim Balch
June 10. 1785
[5-211] \_Relative to Taxes on Estates of Absentees, 1783. ~]
This may Certify that the Land of Elijah William Esq 1 " late
of Keene Absentee
was in the year 1 7S1 taxed hard money is 11-2
& New Emishon £1:7: 11-5
& the Land of Doct Josiah Pomeroy an Absentee
was taxed the same year the sum in hard
money —
New Emishon
£ o: ij : 3 : 1
£10 : 9:1:1
Keen August 26 17S3
David Nims Jr
Jonathan Baley
Nathan Blake jur J
^) Selectmen
C of
Keene
In behalf of the Select men R d an order on the Treasury for
the above sum
Benjamin Hall
KEENE. 321
[5-212] \_Resignation of Timothy Ellis, 1782.1
Keene Sept r 14-1782
Sirs
I retain a due Sense of Gratitude for the many favors and
Honors bestowed upon me by the General Assembly of the
State of New Hampshire ; and in particular for their appoint-
ing me Colonel of the Regiment, which I now Command. I
am still tenacious of the Rights and Liberties of Mankind, and
attached to the State of New Hampshire. The Appointment
was very unexpected, and (as I thought I had neither Leisure,
nor Ability to perform with Honor the Duties which that Sta-
tion required) very undesireable to me. However, I accepted
the same, hopeing that I should soon be succeeded by some
person more suitably qualified. But as I find myself disap-
pointed in that Respect, I must beg Leave to decline acting any
longer in that Capacity, and Send this my Resignation ; trust-
ing that the Hon ble Assembly will Soon appoint Some person
to take the Command of this Regiment, who will conduct with
Wisdom, understanding, Fidelity and Honor. I am, Sir,
your most obedient humble Servant
Timothy Ellis
To the Hon ble Meshach Weare Esq r ; to be communicated to the
General Assembly. —
[5~ 2I 3] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783, .]
Cheshire ss To The Hon. Ebenezer Tompson Esq r Secetary
of the State of New Hampshire —
Hon d Sir
Pursuant to an Order from the General Assembly we the
Subscribers have taken the Number of all the Rateable polls
within the Town of Keene from the Age of Twenty one years
and Upwards and find them to be Two Hundred and Twenty
Eight
Josiah Richardson") Select
Timothy Ellis v men of
David Nims Jr ) Keene
Cheshire ss Keene Decern 1 " 13 th 1783
The Above Named Josiah Richardson Col Timothy Ellis and
David Nims Jun r personally Appeared and made Solomn Oath
that the Above is the True Number of all the Rateable polls
within the Town of Keene from Twenty one years old and Up-
ward according to the best of their Knowledge Before me
Tho s Baker Just Pac 8
2 3
322 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-214] [Relative to the Cou7ity yail, iy8j.~\
To the Hon ble Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled this
twenty Eighth day of Oct r AD 17S3
Dan Guild Gaoler, and others (Subscribers belonging to
Keene in the County of Cheshire) humbly shew that they con-
ceive it would be very beneficial not only to the Publick but to
the Town of Keene in general, and the Poor Prisoners in Gaol
here in particular, that y e Limits of the Yard of the Prison here
might be extended beyond what it now is by law, sixty feet, so
as to take in a Barn and Shop that would be very convenient
for them to labour in and thereby to Earn something for their
Support during their being obliged to remain in said Gaol un-
till they can sware out ; As there is a considerable number of
Prisoners in that Predicament — Wherefore Your Petitioners
pray that an Act may be passed to extend the Yard of said
Prison as aforesaid which will be a great relief to the Prisoners
in Gaol, and to the Gaoler, and as we humbly conceive no dam-
age to the Publick. And as in duty bound will ever pray
Dan Guild Gaoler Abner Sanger
Tho s Baker Nathan Blake jur
N : Cooke Thomas Field
Benja Hall Israel Houghton
Jer Stiles
[5-215] [Taxes on Land of Absentees, i/8j.~\
Extract from a tax or assesment in Keene being the State tax
on the town of Keene for the year 1782 —
s d
Elijah Williams' land £1.. 8.-9
Josiah Pomeroy's land 10.. 14.. i^£
Extract from a tax for raising continental men in the year
1782—
s d
Elijah Williams' land £ 1.. 10.. 10
Josiah Pomeroy's land 11.. 10.. 9
The above are true extracts from the Original assesments
Attest J assessors
Ichabod Fisher > for the
Reuben Partridge ) year 17S2
Feb. y e 4 th 17S5—
R d an order on the Treas ry in behalf of the Selectmen for the
Above Benjamin Hall
KEENE. 323
[5-216] [Certificate of Nails made, 1789.']
The State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss
To whom it may concern —
We the Subscribers the major part of the Select Men of the
Town of Keene in said County of Cheshire do hereby certify
that Ezra Hervey of Keene afores d Nailer has bona fide made
or caused to be made at his Workshop in Keene aforesaid be-
tween the months of October AD 1787 and December AD 178S
— two hundred thousand of four penny wrought nails — In Wit-
ness whereof We do hereto set our hands & seals this 25 th Day
of December AD 1789 —
Dan 1 Kingsbury
Jeremiah Stiles
Ebenezer Robbins
P Sprague
Cheshire ss Dec 1 " 23 th 1789 — I the subscriber being the near-
est Justice of the peace to the above named Ezra Hervey, do
certify that the said Hervey has bona fide made or caused to be
made in his Work Shop in Keene afores d the above number of
nails within the Time aboves d
Tho s Baker Just pac 8
Jany 12, 1790
Received an Order on the Treasurer for six pounds as a
bounty on nailmaking in behalf of Ezra Harvey
Isaac Griswold
[Similar certificates were presented in favor of the fol-
lowing, for the purpose of obtaining the bounty offered by
the state :
Elijah Baker, 400,000 ten-penny wrought nails in 1790.
Ezra Harvey, 200,000 four-penny wrought nails in 1790.
" 400,000 " " 1 791.
Elijah Baker, 100,000 ten-penny wrought nails in 1791.
300,000 " " 1792.
Ezra Harvey, 400,000 four-penny wrought nails in 1792.
—Ed.]
[5-231]
State of New-Hampshire Cheshire ss.
At a legal Meeting of the Freeholders and others Inhabitants
of the Town of Keene held Aus* 25 th 1794 — Hon ble Dan 1 New-
324 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
comb Esq r was chosen to Represent said Town in General
Court the present Year instead of Jeremiah Stiles Esq r resigned.
Keene Aus' 25 th 1794
Attest Lock. Willard T. Clerk
E Dunbar ) Selectmen
A Wilder I of Keene
KENSINGTON.
The township was set off from Hampton Falls, April 1,
1737, and "erected into a distinct parish" by its present
name, which is probably derived from some English town.
John Weare, Joseph Wadley, and Ezekiel Dow were author-
ized to call the first meeting.
A mistake was made in describing the bounds in the act
above referred to, which was rectified by an act passed the
26th of the following August. Rev. Jeremiah Fogg was
settled as parish minister in November, 1737, and remained
until he died, December 1, 1789.
Kensington was a populous town at the breaking out of
the Revolution. The following are the names of their men
in the First N. H. Regiment:
Joseph B. Hoit, entered March 21, 1781 ; discharged De-
cember, 1 78 1.
Orson Lock, entered April 14, 1777 ; discharged Septem-
ber 19, 1777.
The latter was killed.
[R. 2-143]
[William Evens, of Kensington, states that he was a sol-
dier in Capt. Folsom's company in the summer of 1759, and
lost his gun, for which he asks to be paid. The petition
was dismissed. — Ed.]
[R. 2-144]
[Samuel Elliot, of Kensington, says he was in the service
in 1760, went as far as Wentworth's ferry, and came home
from there by permission of his officer, notwithstanding
KENSINGTON. 325
which he was returned as a deserter by Capt. Marston. He
wants to be righted. The petition was dismissed March
13, 1 76 1. —Ed.]
[R. 2-145, H 6 ' H7]
[In a petition dated June 9th, 1763, Benjamin Page, of
Kensington, stated that he had two sons, minors, in the ar-
my in 1759, m Capt. Samuel Folsom's company, one of
whom died, and the other was wounded. He asks for their
wages, and presents the following certificate : — Ed.]
Kensington June y e 9 th 1763
To the Honourable House of Representatives —
This is to Signify to your Honours my Judgment and opin-
ion of Samuel Page Son of Benjamin Page of this Parish he
was in the army in the year 1759 and Came home sick with the
purging Called the Camp Disorder and wasted and Died with
the same in about six weeks after he came home I visited him
as a physician in the time of his Languishment and according
to the Best of my Judgment he died with the Camp Disorder
and likewise would Signify to you that Jeremiah Page Son of
Benjamin Page Being at oswego the same year that his Brother
was and that he was wounded in actual Service By Reason of
which he hath lost the Spring of his great Toe which is greatly
to his Damage —
Benjamin Rowe
[He was allowed ^"4-17-6 sterling. — Ed.]
[5-232] \_Petition for a Gra7zt of LandJ\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Governour &
Commander in Chief in & over His Maj ejr Province of New
Hampsh er in New England and to the Hon bl His Maj ey Coun-
cil—
Humbly Shew your Petitioners Inhabitants of the Parish of
Kensington in s d Prov e —
That your Petitioners do themselves (many of them) Stand in
need of Tracts of Land for to settle on & Improve, and your other
Petitioners have Either Sons or such as they are Concerned to
provide for, who Stand in need of the Same. — That most of
your Petitioners have not had any Share & the other but a
326
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
small Share in any Grants of Townships which have been Al-
ready Made. — And your Petitioners Hope (as they are Part of
an Ancient Town which has paid a Large Share of Taxes in
the Support & Defence of the Government ; & do (themselves)
still pay more Taxes then Some other Parishes that Have y e
Privilege of a Representative) That they Shall be Remembered
with the other Parts of the Town (which are now Petitioning
your Excellency) in such Grants of out-Lands as may now be
made —
We therefore Pray Your Excellency that we may have a
Grant of such a Quantity of Land as may accomodate the
Number of your Petitioners, according to what is usually
allowed in Grants of Townships. We also Request that the
Grant may be adjoyning to those that may be made to the other
Parts of the Town or that we may be otherwise provided for
as your Excellency & Honours shall Judge Best — And your
Petitioners Shall Ever Pray —
The Record
Henery Lampre
Israel James
Joseph Chase hil-
yard
Benjamin Page
Daniel Blake
M r Fogg
Ezekiel Dow
James Pirkens
moses Blake Jur
Samuel Page
John graves
Philbrick Palmer
Josiah Dow
John Page Juner
Theophilus Page
Obadiah Johnson
Jonathan Dow
Jonathan Brown
moses Shaw
Jonathan Palmer
Moses Grifen
Nehemiah Brown
Joseph Pike
Caleb Shaw
Benjamin Prescutt
Joseph Weare
John Batchelder
Benjamin James
Abraham Moulton
Benjamin Brown
Juner
John Weare
Simon Batchelder
Nathan Clough
William Evens Jun r
Jeremiah Green
Jeremiah Batchelder
Jeremiah Sanborn
Joshua Gilman
John Dow
Elijah Connor
Benjamin Brown
Josiah Blake
Samuel Clifford Jur
Isaac fellows
Phebe Purenton
Abel Word
Philip Dow
Stephen Brown
[5-234] [Ebcnezcr Brow?i's Comfilai)it, iyy8.~\
M r pickerin this is to inform you that the in habitance of
Dear field has past and re past through My land with out leav
or Usance wich is a grate Damage to me you must thnk by
Sides a great Charge that I have bin att I am obloyegd to Make
three Mils and a Quarter of fence be Sides loosing my land and
2 hundred pounds expends and I think No Man of reson Can
KENSINGTON. 327
Say that is not a damage they have returnd Me Som land for
my satisfaction but I will not take it for it is within My bounds
be fore but I will not take land for it if thare ever So much
kinsington May the 20 1778
Ebenezer Brown
[5-235] [Petition for a Paper Currency, iy8^.~\
To the Hon ble the Gen 1 Court of the State of Newhampshire to
be held at Concord by Adjournment on the third Wednesday
of Oct r current —
The petition of the Inhabitants of the parish of Kensington,
in the County of Rockingham & State of Newhamps 1- Humbly
sheweth, — That by reason of the extream scarcity of a Circu-
lating medium, that business of almost all kinds have ceas'd,
or must shortly cease, to the Distress of your petitioners, & the
Community at large —
Therefore your petitioners Humbly beg that your honours
would Emit a quantity of paper money sufficient to Discharge
the State Debt, or Devise some way or means whereby the out-
standing Taxes may immediately be paid into the Treasury,
that the Treasurer may thereby be enabled to discharge s d Debt ;
or otherwise relieve your petitioners as you in your great wis-
dom shall think meet, & your petitioners as in duty bound, will
ever pray —
Kensington Oct 1 * 14 th 1785 —
Abraham Sanborn \ Committee in behalf
John Page > of the parish
Isaac Fellows j of Kensington
This Committee was chosen by a large Majority of the parish
for the above purpose —
Atest Moses Shaw jr Parish Clerk
[See Vol. XI, p. 127.— Ed.]
[5-236] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.^
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss. —
Pursuant to a vote of the General Court of said State We the
Subscribers do hereby return the number of male polls of
328
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Twenty one years of age and upwards paying for themselves a
Poll Tax within the Town of Kensington 153.
Kensington Decem r S th 1783
J. Bachelder ~\
Nathan Dearborn > Selectmen
Joseph Brown )
Sworn before Benjamin Rowe
[5-237] \_An Appeal for Dr. Benjamin Rowe, about i/ r 8j.']
To his Excellency Meshech Weare, President of the State of
New Hampshire And the Hon ble Council for said State —
The Petition of us whose names are under written Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Kensington, humbly sheweth, That Doc-
tor Benjamin Rowe Esq r of said Kensington, before the present
Constitution of Government existed, and served the public in
the capacity of a Justice of the peace, and we conceive he
served with ability fidelity and in honor. To call in question
his ability to act in such a capacity, would be condemning the
Judgment of that honorable body that appointed him to his
office. * * * * That we conceive while we would by
no means call in question your wisdom and Integrity in your
appointments ; that it is a Priviledge we may reasonably hope
you will indulge us with, to appoint and commission the said
Benjamin Rowe Esq 1 " to be Justice of the peace under the pres-
ent Constitution. * * * *
Winthrop Rowe
Jonathan green
David Stuard
Jacob Worthen
John Page iu
Hanson Hodgdon
David Sanborn
Jona Tilton
Theophilus Folsom
Abraham Sanborn
Jonathan Prescott
Jonathan Rowe
Paul Blake
Samuel Prescutt
John Melcher
David Prescott
Elihu Chase
Nathan gove
Benj a Moulton
John Page
Benjamin James Jur
henry Sanbun
Charles Page
Theophilus Sanburn
John Lamprey
Joseph Palmer
Abner Eastman
Benjamin Eastman
Enoch Worthen
Robert Pike
Stephen Page
Stephen Brown the
Jethro Brown
Jeremiah Dearborn
David Shaw
Stephen Brown
Timothy S. Eaton
Nathaniel Dow
Nathaniel Weare
William french
Stephen Brown jr
Weare Nudd
Jonathan Flanders
John Green
Stephen Green
obadiah Johnson
David James
John Chase
Ephraim Abbott
Caleb Brown
moses Blake
Richard Samborn
Jon" Prescott Ju
KENSINGTON.
329
Caleb Brown
Enoch gove
Elijah gove
Josiah Blake
Hezekiah Blake
Samuel Dearborn
Jos C. Hillard
Benjamin James
Benjamin Tilton
Abraham Prescutt
William Brown
Noah Hobbs
Simon Prescutt
Joseph Prescutt
odlin Prescott
Benjamin Prescott
Josiah Batchelder
Edward Lock
Joseph Rowe
Moses Shaw
Elisha Blake Jur
Nathan Shaw
Abraham Shaw
Elisha Blake
Stephen Chase
John Palmer
Josiah Brown
martin Prescott
Joseph Clifford
Nathan Page
Samuel Clifford
Benjamin Loveren
Ebenezer Loveren
John Graves
John Bacheler
Jeremiah Tilton
Joseph Brown
David Philbrick
Joseph Hilliard
Joseph Dow
Josiah Dow
Benjamin Dow
Isaac Fellows
Jonathan Palmer
John Batchelder
David Chase
Samuel Rowe
Joseph Wadleigh
Jewett Sanborn
[5-238]
[Petition for a Coroner, 1786."]
To the Honorable the President and Council of New Hamp-
shire —
Gentlemen —
We the Subscribers desirous of having a Coroner or Coroners
appointed in Kensington take liberty to recommend M r Nathan
Dow and M r Newell Healey as fit for that Office —
Kensington May the 15 th 1786 —
Eben r Clifford Philemon Blake Jr
Jere. Fogg Jun r Joshua Lane
Jere : Bachelder Jon a Fellows
Winthrop Rowe Eben r Potter
Samuel Rowe Stephen Page
John Batchelder Enoch worthen
[5 _2 39] \_yeremiak Fogg's Declination of the Office of Ad-
jutant-General, 1786.^
Kensington July y e 6 th 1786 —
Gentlemen —
About the beginning of last Month I rec d the inclosed Com-
mission from the hands of y e deputy Secretary —
The Honor done me by the late Executive in an appointment
so important as that of Adjutant General of the State is grate-
330 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
fully acknowledged — And while I realize the Dignity as well
as necessity of such an Office I regret my inability to fulfill it
and the Necessity I am under to decline an Acceptance. —
I am with much esteem Gent"
Your very humble Servant —
Jere: Fogg
To the Honorable the President and Council of New Hamp-
shire —
KINGSTON.
The township was granted Aug. 6, 1694, in the sixth year
of the reign of William and Mary, by Lieut. Gov. John
Usher, to James Prescott, Sr , Isaac Godfrey, Thomas Phil-
brick, Jr., Gershom Elkins. Samuel Calcott, Thomas Web-
ster, Samuel Dearborn, William Godfrey, Jacob Garland,
John Mason, Ebenezer Webster, Nathaniel Sandburn, Ben-
jamin Sandburn, John Moulton, Daniel Moulton, Francis
Towle, and others, mostly of Hampton. It was named
Kingstown, the derivation of which is obvious, and the name
was generally so spelled until about the year 1800. This
grant covered the territory which is now contained in the
towns of East Kingston, Danville, and Sandown. Settle-
ments were commenced soon after the grant, but little prog-
ress was made until after the treaty of peace with the Ind-
ians, which was signed at Portsmouth, July 11, 171 3. Rev.
Ward Clark, ordained in 1725, was their first settled minis-
ter.
Nov. 17, 1738, the easterly part of the town was set off
and incorporated by the name of Kingstown East Parish.
The west part of the town, as originally granted, was set
off April 6, 1756, by the governor and council, and incorpo-
rated into the town of Sandown. Another portion was in-
corporated into a town by the name of Hawke (now Dan-
ville), Feb. 22, 1760. In consequence of these acts, the
town at present contains but a small portion of its original
grant.
Dr. Josiah Bartlett commenced practice in this town in
1 76 1. He was a member of the state committee of safety
from May 19, 1775, to Jan. 20, 1776 ; from Jan. 20, 1777, to
May 28, 1778; and from Jan. 5, 1779, to May 29, 1784;
KINGSTON. 331
one of the justices of the supreme court from Nov. 14, 1782,
until he was elected president of the state in 1790, holding
the office of chief executive four years. He died May 19,
1795, at the age of 65.
[5-240] [Petition for a Confirmation of the Grant and
Specification of its J3ounds.~\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq 1 * Captain General,
Governour and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
tys Province of New Hampshire in New England and to the
Honorable his majesty s Council for said Province
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Kingstown
in the Province of New Hampshire Most Humbly Shews
That on the Sixth of August A. D. 1694 — John Usher Esq r
then Lieutenant Governour & Commander in Chief in and over
said Province with the advice & Consent of the Council for s d
Province by a Charter of that date did give and Grant a certain
tract of land lying within the said Province of New Hampshire
described and bounded as in the said charter (refference thereto
being had may fully appear) unto the persons mentioned in
said Charter, and unto Severall others of their Majestys loving
Subjects, that then did or Should Inhabit within the said Grant
— That from the Date of said Charter till the Settlement of the
Boundary line between the Province of New Hampshire on the
South and the Province of the Massachusets Bay on the North
there has been both a publick and private dispute Subsisting
which has been no Small Detriment to the said Town of Kings-
town —
That your Petitioners apprehend the Boundary Line between
the Two provinces is now fixed and that the Southern Bounds
of Kingstown is the same as the dividing line between the Two
Provinces —
That there is some ambiguity and uncertainty in the said
Charter as to the bounds of said Grant — which, for want of an
Explanation may possibly hereafter be the occasion of disputes
and expense of much time and Money, which by your Excel-
lency and Honours in your great wisdom may be prevented
Wherefore your Petitioners pray your Excellency and Hon-
ours to take this Petition and the Charter afores d (a copy of
which your Petitioners will lay before your Excellency & Hon-
ours) under your wise consideration and to Confirm the afore-
said Grant and to rectify any mistakes and uncertaintys there
may be touching the description or bounds of the said tract of
Land intended to be given and granted by the aforesaid Charter
332
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
so that the said Grant may take effect according to the true in-
tent and meaning thereof — And your Petitioners as in Duty-
bound shall Ever pray &c —
Eben r Stevens \ Select Men of Kings-
Jedidiah Philbrick > town & in
John Hunton ) behalf of said Town
[5-24 1 ]
[Precept for a?i Election, iyio.~\
Province of New Hampsh r
to the Constable of Kings Town you are in Her majestys
Name Required to Convean the free houlder of your Town to-
gether on munday the 28 day of this Instant august at two of
y e clock in y e afternoon : and being So meet you make Choyce
of a meet person Qualified according to Law : to RepreSent
your Town in Generall Assembly to Sitt att portsmouth the
and y* you Certifie the person so Chosen to
the assembly at the time abovesaid — for which this Shall be
your Warrant —
Dated August 24 : 17 10 —
[5-242] Kingston Mens Names Sworn to K Q 2 d : 1727.
Sam 11 Judkins
Nathll ffrench
Joseph Welch
Simon ffrench
Joseph Elkins
John young
Sam 11 "Webster
John Gillman
Sam 11 Tucker
Eben r Webster
Ephraim Severens
Nathan Prescot
Luther Morgan
Phinehas Batchelder
Benj judkins
Sam 1 Colcord
Phillip Moodev
Richard Clifford
Edward Eastman
John Webster jur
John Sweat
Ichabod Clough
Jonathan Sanborn
Moses Sleeper
Daniel Giles
Theop. Griffin
William Long
Ralph Blasdell
Nathan Batchelder
Sam 11 Welch
Nathanaell Rundlet
John Lad
Jeremy Webster
Benjam Choatt
Sam 11 Colcord
James prescutt
Ichabod Robe
John ffifield
Joseph ffifield
Aaron Sleper
Joseph young
Daniell Lad
Eben r ffellows
Joshua prescutt
Elish win slow
John webstr
Eben r Sleper
philep Row
Isac Greeften
Daniel Been
Sam 11 Been
Jonathan Lauerence
Jonathan Choatt
philip hunton
Elish Swett
Daniell Gillman
Sam 11 Robe
Josiah bachelder
Sam 11 ffifield
william busell
nath 11 ffVench Ju
M r Eben r Colens
Thomas Corbin
KINGSTON. 333
Andrew Webster Sam 11 Estmun Benjamin Swett
Samll ffrench Sam 11 Stevens abraham watson
Ephraim Elkins David Quenbe Sam 11 Sanburn
Daniell Young Isac godfree moses Rowell
Jonathan Webster Jeremiah hubbard thom s Geoarg
Benj. Welch Eben r Estman moses Elkens
Joseph Young Jeddiah philbrock Carneilas Clough
[5-243] ^Relative to Taxation by Afassac/iusetts, iyji.~\
To his Excellencie Jonathan Belcher Esq r Cap* Generall and
Commander in Chief in and over his Maj ties Province of New
hampshire to the hon ble the Councill, and house of Represen-
tatives Now Conven'd in Gen 11 Assembly
The humble Petition of Samuell Graves of Kingstown in
newhampshire for himselfe and in Behalfe of the Proprietors of
the Said Town of Kingstown Most humbly Sheweth —
That your Petitioner is an Inhabitant of the Said Town of
Kingstown on part of that Town that Lyes Neare seventeen
Miles Dew North from the River Now Caled Merrimack : Yet
So it is that the People In habiting Havereill in the County of
Essex in the Massachusets Bay pretending Right to the Soile
where your Petitioner Liveth : (and alsoe to a Great part of the
Said Town of Kingstown) which lyes Some five, Some ten
Miles, and Som fifteen, Sixteen, or Seventeen Miles North
from Said Merrimack : and the Goverment of the Masachusets
assumes Jurisdiction over all the Dimentions affore Said: and
hath Taken y r Petetion r by vertue of the writs and process out
of the Courts of that County of Essex : and he hath been De-
tained in the County Goale in Ipswitch in Sd County of Essex
above Seventeen Weeks — and Since Your Petitioner has at his
Great Expence Discharged himselfe : yet Since y t his Neigh-
bour Jeremiah Clough that Joynes upon y r Petitioners Land fif-
teen or Sixteen Miles to the North of the S d River Merrimack :
hath been taken by process out of the Courts belonging to the
Said County of Essex : & there put In Goale and forc't to find
pledges & suerties to Answer in the Courts of the Said County
of Essex —
Notwithstanding the Said Courts Cannot pretend any Juris-
diction So far Northward of the Said River Merrimack and tho'
your Petitioner Did Exhibit a Petition in his own and the afTo re-
said Cloughs Name to the Gen 11 ass m of the Mass a praying that
they might have Some Relief, and that things might Rest till
the Setlem* of the lines: yet Could have no Redress — and was
answered they would not Estop themselves unless this Province
334 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
would Do something first (or be tyed as well as them from any
prosecution) —
Your humble Petitioner Most humbly prayes that your Ex-
cellcie, Councill & house of Representatives will In y r Wisdom
as Seems most meet proceed to Do Something that may put a
Stop to any further proceedings untill Such Time as the Lines
May be Setled — and your Petitioner Shall Ever pray
May the 4 th 1731
Samuel Graves
[5-244] \_Petition of Inhabitants of the Easterly Part for a
New Parish, 1738.]
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq 1 " Cap* Gen 11 and Cov-
er 11 in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New
Hamps : in New England, And to the Hon ble his Majesties
Council and Representatives in Gen 11 Court Assembled May
y e 2 d 1738
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of Kingstown in
the Easterly part thereof, In the Province afores d Humbly
Sheweth : That Whereas divine Providence (which Sets
Bounds to all our habitations) hath placed us at a great Dis-
tance from the place of Publick worship up in Town And so
rendered our attendance there very Difficult & often Impracti-
cable for our families — This has put us upon Building a New
Meeting House Among our Selves to Accommodate our women
& Children as well as our Selves that we might More Conven-
iently attend the Publick worship of God And with more Ease
& Comfort Enjoy the word & Ordinances and Means of Grace
which are So Necessary to our Spiritual Edification and Eter-
nal Salvation Upon which we being desirous to Maintain the
worship of God among our Selves at our own Cost And Charge
applyed our Selves to the Town to Set us oft' to be a Distinct
Parish or Precinct from them But they not Duly Considering
our Difficult Circumstances have unreasonably rejected our re-
quest ; Wee therefore now humbly Apply our Selves to your
Excellency and Hon 18 for relief And pray that this Hon ble Court
would please to Consider and Compassionate our Difficult Case
and Make us a Distinct Parish or precinct by fixing a Parish
Line, or Polling off our persons & Estates who are Subscribers
hereunto that we may be Discharged from paying to the Min-
istry or School in the other part of the Town and enjoy the
Powers & Priviledges of a Distinct Parish by our Selves ; We
have paid our part of the Towns Extraordinary Charge in
Building A New Meeting House, and Settling a new Minister,
KINGSTON.
335
& buying a Parsonage House & Land Among them ; And they
are Numerous And Sufficiently able to Carry on without us, It
Seems then very unreasonable for them to deny us our request,
and we have been at an Extraordinary Charge to Build A
Meeting House and to procure preaching for Some time as well
as to Maintain a School among our Selves at our own Cost,
and hope God will Enable us Still to do it Cheerfully and pros-
per us in so good an Undertaking which tends so much to pro-
mote religion and the best good of our families & Children;
And we pray that your Excellency and Hon" would in your
great Wisdom and Goodness Encourage us in so good a design
and Accordingly Grant our request
So Shall we as in duty Bound Ever pray &c
Benjamin French
Richard Cliffard
John Darling
Joseph Grele
Theophilus Griffen
william Boynton
Joshua Prescut
Jeremy Webster
William Smith
Nathan Bachelder
Phinehas Bachelder
Jonathan Greele
Jeremiah Prescot
Stephen Merrill
Josiah Bachelder
Edward fifield
Benjamin Morrill
Ebenezer Bachelder
John Clifford
Andrew Webster
Josiah Tilton
Isaac Godfrey
Isaac Grefin
John Webster
Caleb Clough
Abraham Smith
Samuel Lock
John Webster Ju r
Joseph eastman
theophiLus CLough
thomas eastman
Ichabod Clough
Ebenezer fellows
Edmund Titcomb
Philemon wells
James Tappin
Sam 11 Eraons
Ebenezer Sleeper
Ebenezer Collins
Orlando Bagly
Ebenezer Webster
Thomas Webster
Jun r
John Clifford Jun r
Joseph Greele Junr
Jonathan Blasdel
Daniel Rowell
Enoch Blasdel
Samuel Tompson
Joseph Gould
Thomas Brown
William Whicher
John Darling Jun r
Jacob Gale
[It was set off and incorporated as Kingston East Parish,
November 17, 1738. — Ed.]
[5-245] [Petition for a Grant of Land, 1738. ~\
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esquire Commander in
Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New Hampshire
and to the Honourable his Majesties Council
The Humble Petition of us Inhabitants of Kingstown, —
Most Humbly sheweth,
That with Earnest desire of Enlarging the dominion of the
Supreme of the English Territories ; and to Accomodate our
336
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Posterity under the most happy Administration on Earth : WE
have exposed our Persons and Families Goods and Fortunes to
the Ravage and Insults of a barbarous Enemy, and many of our
dear Friends and Relatives have lost their Lives in the Enter-
prize, and Others undergone a long and Sore Captivity and
some of them redeemed with vast Labour and difficulty and
great Expence which has so impoverished many of us that We
have been Obliged to sell much of our Lands to the Inhabitants
of Other Towns in which distressing and Calamitous Wars we
have been their Barrier, and thro' the unhappy Disputes arising
between this and the adjacent Province much of our Lands has
been Seized and Setled by the Inhabitants of the neighbouring
Province which has caused Some of us Inhabitants great Tryalls
and Perplexities in being harrassed with Uncomfortable &
Chargeable Lawsuits ;
On These and several other Motives we did humbly Request
a Tract of Land near adjoining to Ammiskeeg Falls which has
laid upon File near Fourteen Years, thro' the unsetled state of
this Province in respect to the Line. WE Have been at the
Charge of sending a Number of Men to view the Inland and to
give us a plan of a suitable Tract of Land which may be indis-
putable and thro' the Guidance of Providence they have found
such a spot between Winnepeseokke & Pemissewassett Rivers.
WE Therefore humbly Request the favourable and Compas-
sionate consideration of your Excellency and Honours in the
Grant of a Township there of Ten miles square or of such
other Dimensions and Quantity as in your Wisdom may seem
meet, and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever Pray
&c—
Samuel Judkins
Samuel French
Jacob Morrill
William Buzwell
Theophilus Clou<
Ebenezer Stevens
Jonathan Sanborn
Joseph Seecomb
Jedediah Philbrick
Simeon Brown
John Sweet Jun r
Joseph Easeman
Ebenezer Easeman
Ebenezer Stevens
Jim'
Francis Batchelor
Peter Sanborn
Samuel Bean
Cornelius Clough
William Wicher
Benjamin Choate
Jim*
Joshua Woodman
Joseph Clifford
John Clifford
Daniel Young
Nathaniel French
Benj a Easeman
Joseph Greele Jun r Samuel Easeman
Benjamin French
Jonathan Greele
John Clark
Benjamin Judkins
Benjamin Stevens
Jonathan Young
Benjamin Sleeper
Joshua Webster
Moses Sleeper
Aaron Young
William Silowav
Benj a Adams
William Long
Philip Huntoon
Nath 11 Smith
Jonathan Sanborn
Tert :
Abraham Sanborn
Jonathan Sanborn
Jun'
Jeremiah Hubbard
Samuel Huntoon
Joseph Young Jun r Joseph Bean Jun r
KINGSTON.
337
Jonathan French
Thomas Elkins
Benjamin French
Jun r
Benjamin Morrill
Benjamin Ladd
Samuel Robey
John Newton
Elisha Sweet
Benjamin Stevens
Daniel Gilman
Joseph Fellows
John Hubbard
Nathan Sweet
John Fifield Jun r
Elisha Winslo
Samuel Tucker
Joseph Fifield
Isaac Clifford
Samuel Colcord
Tristram Sanborn
Benjamin Webster
Jonathan Choate
Benj a Wodley
Jacob Gilman
Samuel Fifield
Samuel Sleeper
John Huntoon
Tristram Sanborn
Jun r
Joseph Adams
Samuel Webster
Ebenezer Colcord
The whole number is 81 persons.
[5-M6]
[Action of Town- Meeting, i'/42.'\
At A Legal town meeting held by the Inhabetance and free-
holders of.kingston y e second day of march : 1 741/2: 15 ly
voted that sq. Ebe r Stevens Jedidah Philbrock & Jeremiah Web-
ster are Chosen a committe to bring forward the petition which
is allready Laid before the governor & Councel by sd town of
kingston or to prepare any other petition for sd town to the sd
govrner & Councel This is a true Copey taken out of kingston
book of Reackords as a test by me —
Tristram Sanborn town Clerk for kingston
(5-247]
[Petition for Lands, iy^o.~\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Governour &
Commander in chief in & over his Majestie's of New Hamp-
shr e & To the Hon bl his Majestie's Council of s d Prov.
The Petition of Jedediah Philbrick of Kingston in said Prov-
ince, Humbly Sheweth, as well on his own behalf as on the
behalf of his Associates That your said Petitioner &c — have
lived in a Frontier Town during some of the late Wars exposed
to all the Dangers & Difficulties of such a Situation of which
your Excellency & Honours we doubt not will be thoroughly
sensible upon the bare mention without enumerating of them
And we never yet having had any Grant of Lands made us as
many of our Neighbours and fellow Subjects have had & we
being desposed to cultivate & improve some of the wast Lands
of this his Majestie's Province aforesaid Humbly hope & pray
that y r Excellency & Honours would be pleased to grant to us
& our Associates (a list of which is herewith humbly presented
or such as your Excellency & Honours shall be pleased to join
24
33^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
with us) a Township to the Northward of & joining to No. 4
(so called) & bounding on the East side of Connecticut River
and if we may not have it there we pray that it may be allotted
us in some other place, commodious for a speedy settlement or
elsewhere as your Excell y & Hon" in your great Wisdom shall
see meet and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever
Pray—
Kingston 10 th Sept r 1750 —
Jedidiah Philbrick Benjamin Choat jun r Joshua woodman
tristram Sanborn Joseph Greely Eben 1 * Bachilder
Elisha Sweett Natt 11 Hunton Isaac Smith
will™ Busiel Daniel Gillman Abraham Green
Samuel fifield John webster jun r Joshua Brown
John Young Joseph Elkins Joseph Greely Jun r
Benjamin Stevens Jonathan Choat Hezekiah Young
Peter Sanborn Eben r webster Joseph Eastman
John fifield juri* Elisha winslow J unr
Benjamin Sweett Eben r Long Eben r Paige
thomas Eastman Sam 11 Robey Daniel Brown
Sam 11 webster Jeremiah Philbrick Nathan Bachilder
Natt 11 french Edward Sleeper Benjamin Morril
Benjamin frenchjun r Joseph Secombe Eben r "Collins
Obediah Clough Peter Coffin Daniel Clough —
Benjamin Sanborn Benjamin webster
Joseph fellows Joshua webster
Epheraim Seaver- william Calfe
ance jun r
[5-250] \_Action of Tow?z relative to Roads, 1755. ~\
Kingston march 24 th 1755
i ly Decon Elisha Sweet was chosen moderator
2 ly voted that we will prefer a Pettison to the Generall Court
for Liberty to sell that Grant of a high way between m r John
fields Land and m r Stephen Gillmans Land
a true Copey taken out of Kingston Book
Eben r Stevens town Clark
i ly at a lagel Commoners meetin held march y e 24 th 1755
Decon Elisha Sweet was Chosen moderator for s d meeting
2 ly voted that we will prefar a Pettison to the Generall Court
for to Exchang the high way that was laid out in the West part
of the town for a nother way in a mor Conveniant place whear
the town has purchased it
A true Coppey taken out of Kingston Book of Record
attest — Eben r Stevens town Cleark
KINGSTON. 339
[5-252] \_Petition relative to a jRoad, I755>~\
Province of New Hamps :
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. & Govern 1 in &
over his Majesties Province of New Hamps ; And to the
Hon ble his Majesties Council, And House of Representatives
in Gen 11 Court Assembled —
The Petition of the Subscribers Select men for the Town of
Kingstown in s d Province Humbly Sheweth — That whereas
there was a High way formerly laid out by the Inhabitants of our
Town of Kingstown to Accommodate the Inhabitants of London
Derry & people above, to come down through our s d Town to
Portsmouth &c which s d way now it corns to be wanted is found
to be very bad ground for A High way in part of it viz : from the
Westerly end of the Two Hundred Acre Grants (so Called) in
s d Town to the Rode going by Lieu* James Graves's & exceed-
ingly prejudicial to private men by Cutting their Land very
much in pieces & also go over a burying place which the In-
habitants have made & already laid their Dead ; wherefore your
Petitioners have been & view'd & have found & purchas'd
a far more Convenient way in all respects viz : it being
much better ground for a High Way viz : much easier made
& much Easier & Cheaper kept in Repair and much Cheaper
purchased & far less prejudicial to private persons in regard to
their Lands, & shorter & so nearer for Travellers : to go from
s d James Graves's to the s d end of the Two Hundred Acre
Grants ; wherefore your Excellency & Hon rs Petitioners Hum-
bly prays that your Excellency & Hon IS would be pleasd to
Consider our Case & Abrogate & make Null & void the s d way
in that part of it viz : from s d Graves's Rods to the s d West end
of the s d Two Hundred Acre Grants, And by your Excellencys
& Hon rs Com tce or otherways as your Excellency & Hon rs shall
in your wisdom Se meet lay out confirm & establish the fore-
mentioned New way Looked out & viewed as afores d & so your
Excellency & Hon" Petitioners shall as in duty bound ever
pray &c —
Kingstown March the 31 st day 1755
Sam 11 Winslo ") Select men
Samuel fifield > for
Elisha Sweet ) Kingstown
[In H. of Rep. the matter was referred to a committee,
who reported as follows : — Ed.]
[5-H9]
Kingston the 15 th of april 1755
Province of New Hampshier
by order of the General assembley, we have Enquired and
340 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
examined into the Subject Matter of the two Petitions Prefer d
by the Select men of Kingston, and are of Opinion that the
Praier of the Pittioners Should be Granted, Saving a Spring or
Place of water in the westerly Ende of that high Way Laid to
the Spring Medow, which Spring with Land adjoyning of Said
way not Less then four Rods wide, be Left open to the high-
way or Cuntrey Road which Leads throw the Town — which
is — Humbly Submitted by us the Subscribours.
John Macmurphy ) ^
John Paige j Comm.ttee
[The foregoing request was granted, and an act passed in
accordance therewith. — Ed.]
[5-253] \_Petitio7i for Encouragement to Manufacture Salt,
1776.-]
To the Honourable the Council, and House of Representatives
of The state of Newhampshire
The petition of Ebenezer Griffing of Kingstown in the
County of Rockingham in said state Humbly shew r eth
That the Great Scarcity of the Necessary
Article of salt and the Difficulty of procuring in the Usual way
by
Importation, has induced your petitioner to be at Considerable
Expence in Order to Erect works for Making the same from sea
water
That if proper Encouragement is Given he has Reason to think
that
He shall in a short time be Able to procure Large Quantities
that way
That the Erecting proper works for that purpose will be At-
tended
With Very Considerable Cost and Expence And as the
Manufacturing that Very Necessary Article will be of Very
Great
Advantage to the publick, He humbly prays that your honors
will
Take the Matter into your Consideration and Grant him such
Encouragement as to you in your wisdom shall think fit —
And as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray &c.
Ebenezer Griffing.
KINGSTON. 341
[He erected works for the manufacture of salt, as maybe
seen by the following document : — Ed.]
[5-254] \_Petition for a Lottery, 1777. .]
To The Honb le The General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire Humbly Shew —
Ebenezer Griffing of Kingston in said State, hath, at his
own Cost, and Charge, erected, Salt Works : within this State,
as well for the Publick, as, his own particular Benefit — being
moved, thereto, from the Present — and future prospect of the
great Scarcity, of the Valuable and very necessary Article Salt
— on Reflection, he finds his Works Insufficient to make a
Quantity barely sufficient to Supply the Wants of his Vicinity
— the Uncommon Demand of Salt throughout this State being
such as strongly urges your Petitioner to make further Trials
(in the Art of Salt making) he haveing allready by Labour and
enquiry made good progress therein) to Effect which he finds
he must make further Additions which must be Attended with
great Cost too much for him Individualy to hazard, that Salt
is absolutely necessary for Publick and Private Use that it is
now uncommonly Scarce and the Demand therfor daily increa-
sed! — and that there is no Present prospect of Supplys from the
former Resources are facts notorious to your Honours your Pe-
titioner Therefore prays your Honours to take Under Consider-
ation the Subject matter of this Petition & if Consistent — grant
him Power to form and Accomplish a Lottery under the Im-
mediate Inspection & Direction of the Hon ble General Assem-
bly of this State for the Sole purpose of Assisting him in his
Endeavours of Increasing the Quantity of Salt Sufficient for
the Demands of the Publick & your Petitioner as in Duty
Bound Shall pray
June 26 th 1777 —
Ebenezer Griffing
[R. 2-148] [John Prescott, Soldier, 1753.']
[Joshua Prescott petitioned for an allowance to pay for
nursing and doctoring his son John, who was a soldier at
Louisbourg, was taken sick, and died soon after his return
home. He further stated that he (Joshua) was 65 years
old, and not able to pay said bills. The petition was " Dis-
missed." — Ed.]
34 2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-149] [Abstracts from Pctitio?zs of French War Sol-
diers.^
[John Blaisdell and Samuel Fifield, of Kingston, stated
that they were in Col. Meserve's regiment, in the Crown
Point expedition, 1756. In another petition (R. 2-150)
Samuel Fifield stated that he "was ordered by Col Meserve
to stay at Albany Flatts to take care of two sick soldiers
viz Waldron Smith of Brentwood, & John Blasdell of s d
Kingstown," and did not get home untill January 19, 1757.
He was allowed ^9 new tenor. (R. 2-154) John East-
man, of Kingston, stated that he was in Capt. Trueworthy
Ladd's company, Col. John Hart's regiment ; had his gun
taken from him at " AlBiny," for which he wanted pay.
His petition was dismissed. (R. 2-155) Iddo Webster, of
Kingston, stated that he belonged to same campany and
regiment ; had his gun stolen on the way home, and also
put his elbow out of joint, and asked for an allowance.
January 29, 1760, dismissed. (R. 2-156) Josiah Judkins, of
Kingston, stated in a petition dated May 7, 1759, that he had
an apprentice named Richard Tucker in same company and
regiment, who was sick on his way home, and was put to ex-
traordinary expense in consequence, which he wanted allowed.
Ordered "to lay." (R. 2-157) Benjamin Sweat, Jr., in a
petition dated March 19, 1760, stated that he was in Capt.
Jacob Bayley's company, Col. Lovewell's regiment, in the
spring of 1759; marched to Dunstable, and from there to
Leicester, Mass., where he was taken lame, and left. "And
when Cap* Bayley Came to Pay off the Men under his
Command, I went to him to see if he had Money for Me,
and he Shew d Me that against my Name Was only Sy-
phers." He was allowed 36 shillings sterling. (R. 2-159)
John, son of Jonathan Webster, was in the service at Fort
Edward in 1759. (R. 2-162) David, son of Asa Flanders,
served in the Crown Point expedition in 1756. (R. 2-163)
Samuel Webster stated that his son Barnum was in the
Canada expedition, and died coming home from Fort Ed-
ward in 1758. Also, his son David "was in mager tashes
Regment at number fore and died their" in 1757. — Ed.]
[R. 2-164] [Capt. Samuel Fifield *s Certificate, 1762.^
This may Sartifie Home It may Consarn that Jonathan Bede
Hath Paid an Equeal Pcrposion in Suporting the war in my
KINGSTON. 343
Compeny with other Solders Since this Present ware — this from
your Humbel Servent —
Samuel fifield Cap*
Kingston august the 23 d 1762
[Jonathan Beede belonged to the Quakers. — Ed.]
[R. 2-165] [Petition of John Dent, Soldier, 175Q : addressed
to the General Court."]
The Petition of John Dent of Kingstown in the Province
aforesaid — Humbly Shews — That your Petitioner having been
for more than seven years in the service of his King & Country
as a Soldier : particularly in the last years Campaign after the
Reduction of Louisbourg & Territories &c (your Petitioner
being a Ranger in Cap* William Starks Company) which with
others was sent up S* John's River in the Province of Nova
Scotia where by hard & Incessant Labour (in January the very
dead of winter) in wet & cold ; being obliged to work, in
water, snow, & Ice, & extream cold ; and when Nights come
on ; then to Lodge between the Heavens & the Earth ; and
besides this ; had not a Sufficiency of the Common & Necessa-
ry supports of life &c — which exceeding Difficultys bro't upon
your poor Petitioner such sore disorders & diseases of Body as
caused a long & tedious sickness which at length fell into his
feet ; for which both of his feet have been cut off & yet they are
not healed ; and in this distressed state your petitioner was
obliged to spend all his wages : which was all his substance for
Chirurgery ; & other Necessaries ; and now tho' through Gods
Rich Mercy & goodness to your petitioner he is escaped (thus
far) with his life & got to his Native Town yet being without
estate, & is ever entirely Incapacitated for Labor and so is now
(even if he should get well) in a very distressed state & condi-
tion and inasmuch as this evil came upon this unhappy crea-
ture ; by hardships endured in the service of his King & defence
of his Country; he Humbly cries unto this Court praying for
an Interest in their compassion ; Intreating that something may
be allotted to him that may at least in some measure contribute
to his support & subsistance while he may exist in the present
state ; and so your poor & distressed Petitioner shall as in Duty
Bound ever pray &c
John Dent
Kingstown June the 13 th day 1759
Voted, dismissed Octob r 12 th 1759
344 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-166] [Petition of Paul Pressey, Soldier, 1759: ad-
dressed to the General Assembly.']
The Humble Petition of Paul Pressey of Kingston in said
Province — Shews That your Petitioner was an enlisted soldier
in this province Service in the year 1758, under the Command
of Cap 1 Trueworthy Ladd, of Col John Hart Esq r Regim 1 for
the Reduction of Canada, who proceed d & went in said Ser-
vice as far as any of the Regim*, But so it was that on the 28 th
of July 1758, the Enemy Cutt off a number of Teems, & Killed
many of the soldiers, & women &c, that Convey* them, & your
Petitioner with a Large number of this province Troops, were
ordered by their sup r officer to march Immediately to their
reliefs did, & In the Fight there your petitioner had the mis-
fortune to be shot by an Indian in the Left Breast, the bullet
Log g in the back part of his shoulder, was afterward Cut out by
Doc r Clark. * * * * & when your petitioner was one
hundred & fifty miles from home was obliged to sell his shoes
off his feet for sustenance In order to get home. * *
Paul Pressey
[R. 2-167] [Certificate relative to foregoing.]
To the Honorabile Gentelman of the House of Repreizen-
tives of the Province of Newhampshir this is to Inform your
Honours What We the Subscribers Know Concerning M r Paul
Pressey Sence he Came Home from the Lake the said Pressey
was not able to Do any work of any Valy till a Bout the first of
December 175S and after that he was often Complaining of his
Shoulder as he was Shuing of oxen for Surae of us and other
times he was Saing that his wound hurt him in his Labour
Dated att Kingston march y e 12 th 1759 —
Jeremiah Hubbard Jonathan French Ephraim Paige
Joshua Webster Juner Joseph Worth
Dyer Hook Daniel Brown Caleb towl
Jonathan French John Paige Caleb towl Junr
Humphrey Hook Jonathan Harvey Aaron Quimby
[Dr. John Kittrcdge, of Andover, Mass., testifies to hav-
ing taken care of his wound. He asked for relief, and was
allowed £8 sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2-16S] [Jeremiah Bartlctfs Petition, 1778.]
[In a petition, dated " Kingstown April 2 d 1778," Jere-
miah Bartlett stated that he was *« a soldier in the company
KINGSTON. 345
commanded by Capt Ezra Currier, in Col° Abraham Drake's
Regiment, that marched from this State Last fall and joined
the northern Army near Stillwater." He further stated that
he was taken with a fever near Fishkill, and wanted pay for
his expences in getting home, etc. He was allowed £60.
—Ed.]
[R. 2-169] [Soldiers' Order s.~\
Kingstown January 24, 1778
Please to pay to Samuel Peirson or Order all the pay due to
me for my Rations as an Adj 1 in Col° Drakes Reg* from Sep 1 8
to this day for which his receipt shall be your Discharge &
you'll oblige yours &c
pr. Nath 1 Bacheller
[Thomas Severance, of the First Regiment, orders what is
due him to be paid to John Nicolle. Witnesses, Jona. Blake
and Samuel Favour.
Christopher Challis, of the Second Regiment, orders his
wages to be paid to same. Witness, Jeremiah Graves. —
Ed.]
[R. 2-173] [Petition of Sarah Hobart, 1797.'}
[In a petition, dated Kingston, November 20, 1797, Sarah
Hobart, " late widow of Col Windborn Adams," who was
killed at Stillwater, September 19, 1777, asked to have some
interest, which she claimed to be due her, allowed and paid.
—Ed.]
l5- 2 55l [Relative to the Militia, 1784.']
To his Excellency the President and the Hon ble Executive
Council of the State of New hampshire — your Petitioners
Humbly Shew —
That the Legaslative of this State at their Last Session
Thought Proper to take off from the Seventh Regiment of mi-
litia in this State (Commonly Called Kingstown Regiment) the
Southwesterly part thereof (viz) Salem, Plaistow, Hampstead,
Atkinson, & Sandown, and Erect them into a Distinct and Sep-
errate Regiment, and have added to the other Part of Said
34^
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Seventh Regiment the Town of South Hampton taken from
the third Regiment, That in aranging the Said Regiments
the South westerly Regiment altho' the youngest part of
Said Seventh Regiment are by Some mistake allowed the
Rank of the Seventh Regiment while the oldest Part of the
Said Seventh Regiment is Reduced to the Twentieth, Your
Petitioners are of oppinion the Said arrangment was made in
haste and without properly Considering of the Same, and make
no Doubt that when the matter is Properly Laid before the
Legislature at their Next Session that the mistake will be Rec-
tified, We therefore Pray your Excellency and Honours to Pos-
pone the giving out any military Commitions in Either of Said
Regiments till after the next meeting of the Legislature when
we Expect the mistake will be amended or otherwise we are
apprehensive Very great Difficulties will Ensue — and your
Petitioners as in Duty bound will Ever Pray &c.
Kingstown Nov r 16 th 1784.
John French
John CleffarD fifield
Peter Fifield
William Sanborn
Peter Sanborn
Peter Sanborn jun r
Jacob Hook
John Hunton
Abraham French
Jon a Blake
John Eastman
Amos Gale
Thomas Elkins
Joseph Woodman
John Judkins
Joseph Judkins
David Sanborn
Henry Judkins
Ebenezer Lang
Ebenezer Griffing
Eben r Stevens
John Lad
Ebeneser proctere
Daniel Colcord
Moses Huntoon
Jacob Foot
Nathaniel garland
Joseph Tucker
William Patten
Joseph Calef Ju
Joseph Calf
Jacob Webster
Jonathan Sanborn
Samuel Favour
Nathaniel Darbon
Benjamin Webs 1 Sul-
laway
Calab Sever
Stephen Stuart
Jonathan Collins
Jonathan Severance
John Davis
Daniel Quimby
Samuel Huse
Phi nes Davis
Stephn Badger
John Tucker
Aaron Quimby
Samuel Quimby
Benjamin Quimby
David Quimby
Joseph Williams
Peter Sweat
Isrel Dimond
Enos Colbey
Hezekiah Blake
Elias Buriel
Nathanacl Morrill
Richard Collins
Samuel Sargent
moses Woodman
Dudly Kinrick
Jonathan French 4
Jonathan French
Juner
Jethro Sanborn
Thomas Page
Jedediah Philbrick
Peter Elkins
Joseph Elkins
Elisha Bachelder
David Tilton
Humphry Hook
Jonathan Heath
Israel Hook
Jonathan french
Jonathan french 3 rd
Caleb Towle
James Towle
John Kent
Henery Dearbon
Reuben True Jr
Daniel True
Seth. Bartlett
George Bartlett
Jeremiah Bean
Jonathan Sanborn
KINGSTON.
347
John Singleton
John Procter
John Calef
Aaron young
Caleb judkins
Will™ "Sweat
Aaron Hunton
Benj a Cooper
Jonathan sanborn
Junr
John quemby San-
born
Samuel Stevens 3 d
Nathan Sweat
Solomon Wheeler
Henry Morrill
Israel Dimond juner
Samuel Plummer
David flanders
Jonathan Jones
Samuel Eastmen
Benjamen Eastman
Jabez Eaton
Joseph true Eaton
Nathaniel Brown
Stephen Eastmen
Asa flanders
Benjamin Collins
Juer
John Challis
Jonathan Sanborn
jun r
Peter Emerson
Phinehas Bachalder
Reuben True
Jon a Procter
Jeremiah Elkins
Thomas Elkins
Henery french
Joseph Homan
Samuel Calef
Isaac ClefFord
Caleb long
Ebenezer Stevens 3 rd
Peter Abbot
[5—256] \_A?zotker coitcerning Militia, iy8^.~\
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire in General Assembly Con-
vened at Concord the 9 th day of Feb y 17S5.
The Petition of the Subscribers humbly shew that in the last
session of the General Assembly, among other alterations and
arrangements of the regiments of Militia in this State, they
thought proper to take off the Town of Southhampton from the
Third Regiment commonly called Hampton Regiment, and
annex it to the seventh commonly called Kingstown Regiment,
and then to devide the last mentioned regiment into Two sep-
erate & Distinct regiments ; that with great Differance to the
opinion of the Legislature your petitioners humbly conceive,
that the devision of said regiment might be made in a different
manner to more advantage, and beg leave to request that it
may be taken up again and altered if it shall seem proper
to your Honours — that in giving Rank to the said two Reg ts
the southwesterly regiment, by much the youngest part of
the said Seventh Regiment, is allowed the Rank of the Sev-
enth Regiment, while the Northeasterly regiment by much the
oldest part of said seventh Regiment, is reduced to the twen-
tieth — that the Town of Kingstown is the first Chartered town
in the State, and was first settled after the four old towns, as
they are called, viz Portsmouth, Dover, Hampton, & Exeter ;
and your petitioners can conceive of no good reason why the
said town, togather with the two parishes thereof viz East
Kingston & Hawke which make up the greatest part of the
said Northeast regiment, should be degraded from their former
rank to which they are so Justly intitled by age, and which they
348
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
have not forfeited by any misconduct as they humbly Con-
ceive. —
That at the time the arrangement was made, we are informed
that the two Representatives from the said Northeasterly regi-
ment were both necessarily absent from Court, and so had not
an opportunity of laying the matter properly before them,
which we conceive is the reason that the arrangement passed
as it did, as we have too high an opinion of the wisdom & jus-
tice of the Legislature of the State, than to suppose that it would
have been passed in the manner it was, had the matter been
properly laid before them : —
We therefore pray that your Honours will be pleased to take
the matter of this petition into your wise Consideration, and if
it shall seem to you proper, make some alteration in the lines
Deviding the said former Regiment ; And that you will be
pleased to restore to the Northeasterly regiment their former
rank of the seventh regiment, to which we humbly conceive
they are justly intitled ; And your petitioners as in duty bound
will ever pray &c
Josiah Bartlett
Thomas Elkins
John Hunton
Will" 1 Henderson
Moses Huntoon
Ebenezer Giffing
Joseph Tucker
John Lad
John Singleton
Daniel Colcord
William Clifford
Sam 11 Sanborn
Jo s Williams
Gideon George
John Wheeler
Philip Tilton
Andrew Greeley
Enoch Greeley
Jeames gale
Nath 1 Greeley
william Smith
John Sanborn
Jonathan Clough
John Emons
Benjamin Thomp-
son
Ebenezer Fifield
Richard Smith
Nathan Bachellor
Caleb Webster
Thomas Elkins Junr Nath 1 Bachellor
Henry French John Currier
Jon a Proctor
Joshua Hill
Will 1 " Sweat
James Carruth
Samuel Fifield
Francis Hubbard
Jacob Foot
Jacob Hook
Benjamin Stevens
Samuel Calef
Eli Hunton
Malach Davis
Andrew mace
Jeremiah Currier
Abner Morss
Ezra Currier
Jacob Gale
Henry Gale
Tacob Rowell
Philip Morill
John Samborn
William Patten
Jabez Eaton
Benjaman Eastman
Samuel Plummer
Samuel Eastman
Samuel Sargent
Nathan Jones
Jonathan jones
Asa flanders
Stephen Eastmen
Joseph true Eaton
Nathaniel Brown
Elias Burisel
Henry Morrill
Nathanael Morrill
Willum Gorg
Hezekiah Blake
John Chalies
Joseph Colins Juner
Edward Brown
Jonathan Blake
Israel Dimond
Israel Dimond Juner
Peter Sweat
Jonathan Houlton
Enos Colbey
Samuel fellows
Benjamin Collins
Juner
KINGSTON.
349
Isaac Clifford
Aaronhuntoon
Sam 1 Griffing
Ebeneser proctor
Stephan Huntoon
John Calef 3
Gilman Gale
Benjamin Loverin
William Proctor
Charles Chase
Nathannel Calfe
John George
Jon a Blake
Nathan Sweat
John Proctor
John Calef
Benjamin Stevens
junr
Henry Judkins
Joseph Judkins
Joshua Huntoon
Sam french
Edward Greeley
John Clefford fifield
Abraham French
John Judkins
Richard Sleeper
Joseph Woodman
Peter Sanborn
Benjamin Sleeper
Benjamin Sleeper
Junr
Rezia Beede
Daniel Bacheller
Benjamin Magoon
Simon Magoon
Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith Junr
William Sanborn
Benjamin Sanborn
Noah Sanborn
Peter Fifield
Amos Judkins
Robert S. French
Jacob Ordwav
David Tilton'
Richard Tilton
Peter Abbot
Nathaniel Darbon
Beniemen Webster
Jacob Webster
Natha 11 Fellows
Ephr m Severance
Stephen Badger
Jonathan Sanborn
Samuel Severance
Edward Sleeper
Jonathan Sleeper
William Collins
Phinias Davis
John Sleeper
John Stevens
Samuell Favour
Samuel Huse
John Severance
Jonathan Severance
Jonath Severance ju
John Davis
Daniel Quimby
Jonathan Collins
Bartholomew winslo
Ephraim winslo
William Sleeper
willam Challis
Jacob Peaslee
Daniel wodley
Greely Sillaway
Jem Webster
benjamin hubbard
Thomas Sever
elijah Sever
Elisha Sever
Gideon Webster
Amos Burman
James Noyes
Jonathan Pollard
Calab Sever
Philip Davis
webster Davis
Benj n webster Sulla-
way
Thomas Severance
Isaac Pollard
Natlr 911 flanders
John Sweat
Samuel Kinrick
Joseph willams
Samuel moulten
Josiah Tuxbury
Sanborn Blake
Richard Collans
Stephen Barnard
willam Busel
Moses Busel
Aaron Quimby
Elisha Quimby
Samuel Quimby
Daniel Quimby
Paul Quimby
Dudly kindrck
Benjamin kindreck
Benjamin Page
Joseph fellows
Jonathan fellows
Israel Hook
John Kent
Jeremiah Elkins
Reuben Tracy
Henery Darborn
Henery darborn
Juner
John kent Juner
Daniel Page
Daniel True
Joseph Homan Sold-
ger
Jonathan french
Juner
Jonath 11 french the
forth
Jonathan Sanborn
Jun r
Peter Emerson
David Bachelor
Jonathan Sanborn
John Sanborn
Enoch Sanborn
Jethro Sanborn
Obadiah Sanborn
Jer, Towle
James Towle
35o
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Josiah Tilton
Eliphalet Webster
David Gordon
Trustum saborn
Ichabod Colby
Thomas Challis
moses Greeley
Jonathan Greeley jr
moses chandler
John true
John morill
John Tappan
James Tappan
Josiah Bachelder
Benja. Remick
Daniel Tilton
Nathaniel Tilton
Humphrey Flood
thomas Colby
John Stevens iu
Thomas Bootman
Henery Hunt
Nehemiah Hunt
abner Hunt
Moses Hunt
Stephen Stuart
Sam 11 Stuart
Moses Welsh
Aaron Welsh
Stephen Sturt
Joseph wellch
David Quimby
Neh Sleeper
Ezek Challis
Moriss whitter
Jacob Eastmen
Jedidiah philbrk
Gideon Sawyer
James Sawyer
Reuben Sawyer
Joseph Elkins
George Bartlett
Isaac Bartlett
Jonathan Heath
Tho s Page
Simon Page
Jonathan french
Jonathan French the 3
Humphry Hook
Humphry Hookjun*
Sam 11 waite
Caleb Towle
David Flanders
[5 _2 57] \_CertiJicate of Nails made in iygi.']
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
Kingstown Oct r 3 d 1791
This may Certifie that it appears to us the subscribers That
John Phillbrick of this Town has Really & Bonafidely made in
his black smiths shop in said Town since the seventh Day of
February 1789 One Hundred & Nine Thousand well wrought
tenpenny Nails & also Twenty eight Thousand & eight Hun-
dred sixpenny Nails
Abraham French ) Selectmen of
Simmons Secombe j Kingstown
Kingstown oct r 3 d 1791 This may Certifie that I have no
Doubt but that the said Philbrick Really & bonafide made the
Nails mentioned in the Above Certificate —
Simmons Secombe Justice of peace
Oct 7 1 79 1
Received an Order on the Treasurer for five pounds
John Philbrick
LANCASTER. 35 1
LANCASTER.
This township was granted July 5, 1763, to David Page
and others, and named for a town in Massachusetts. The
following September, David Page, Jr., and Emmons Stock-
well cut a path through from Haverhill to the township,
built a camp, and wintered there ; and in 1764, the senior
Page and his family, with Edwards Bucknam, and others,
moved in and commenced settlements. The conditions of
the grant, however, were not fully complied with, and on
the 20th of September, 1769, an extension was granted.
Indian depredations during the Revolutionary war caused
most of the inhabitants to leave : others came when peace
was restored, so that the town contained twenty-four fami-
lies in 1787.
By an act approved June 22, 1819, the tract of land known
as Barker's Location was annexed to Lancaster. This was
a tract of 3,020 acres, which was granted to Capt. Joshua
Barker, Oct. 21, 1773, for service in the French war.
The farm of E. Winchester was severed from Stark and
annexed to this town Dec. 4, 1840.
Lancaster was still further enlarged by the annexation of
a portion of Kilkenny, Dec. 15, 1842. It is now one of the
most flourishing towns in the northern part of the state.
[6-6] [Petition of David Page for more Land, 1773. ~\
Province of New Hampsh :
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief & to the Honble His Maj-
esty's Council of said Province —
That your petitioner having been at great trouble & Expence
in first attempting & since prosecuting the settlements at Upper
Coho'os on Connecticut River which then was forty Miles dis-
tant from any other settlement, and that with incredible fatigue
he has often travelled that wilderness Country back & forth to
bring on his own with several other Familys having five of his
own Children married & settled about him who have made
considerable progress — besides frequently assisting others to
explore the New Roads — by which means his small stock &
substance is almost exhausted & himself impoverished in his
old Age — He prays your Excellency & Honors Consideration
352 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
that for his Assistance & Releif in his present Difficultys — he
may be favourd with a Grant of some vacant Tract of Land if
to be found in that part of the Country, as to Your Excellency
& Honours may seem meet, and your petitioner as in Duty
bound will ever pray, &c. &c.
David page
Portsmouth 22 d Jan 7 1773 —
[6-5^] [Relative to Representative, 1775."]
To the Honarabel Provincial Congress conveaned at Exeter
Dec. 20, A D 1775. —
Respected Gentlemen — we would take this opportunity to
inform your Honorable House That the nine Towns in the up-
per Cohos have not complied with the precept of the last Con-
gress issued to them for the election of a Representation the
reasons of which conduct are these — first, the neady circum-
stances of the peple render it impossible for them to be at the
expence of supporting one
2 the distance of the inhabitance and difficulty of communa-
cation is so greate that it prevented a general attendance in the
meeting for to chuse a representative we write to your honor-
able house as individuals but at the same time as being well
acquainted with the minds of the people it is their universal
desire not to be taxed to defray aney Expence of delegates
maintaing this principel that their ought to be no taxation
without representation we are with the highest respect for your
house much respected Gentlemen your most obedient humble
servants y) 'H P o- \ Selectmen for The
° ) town of Lancarster
Lancarstar Dec r 14 th 1775
T -d ) Select men for The
araes Brown > , ro.-i.rj
J ) town of Stratford
Josiah Walker
inhabitant of Stratford —
[6-7] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.']
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss : —
Lancaster, Dec m 2 d 17S3
The Number of all the male Poles from twenty one years old
LANCASTER. 353
and upwards in the town of Lancaster that pays taxes for them-
selves —
Number — 10 — men which is the exact Number taken by us
Edw ds Bucknam \ Select
Emmons Stockwell J men
Northumberland 2 d Dec r 1783
Then the above named Edwards Bucknam & Emmons Stok-
well personally appearing made Oath to the above Account
Before me — Jer h Eames Justic Peace
[6-S] [Petition of Col. Bucknam for the Grant of a Ferry,
1784.]
To the Hon ble the General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire
The Petition of Edwards Bucknam of Lancaster in the
County of Grafton in Said State Humbly Sheweth that there
are Catteracts or falls in the River Connecticut adjoining
Northumberland in Said County convenient for Building Mills
and for keeping a ferry Boat
Your Petitioner is Now Actually erecting a Set of Mills both
for Sawing and Grinding on the Said falls
Therefore prays that the Hon ble Court would be pleased to
Grant and Convey unto him his heirs and Assigns the privi-
ledge of using and improving the Earth and waters between the
Eastwardly and Westwardly Banks of Said River in width ;
and in length the Distance of one Mile each way from the cen-
ter of Said falls
And your Petitioner will pray
Edw ds Bucknam
Lancaster oc* 8 th 1784
[The request in foregoing petition was granted in 1786.
—Ed.]
[6-9] [Petition for Authority to tax Non-Residents, iy8y.~]
To the Honourable the senate and the Hon ble House of Rep-
resentatives in General Assembly convened on the second
Wednesday in September A, D, 1787 —
The Petition of the Town of Lancaster in the County of
Grafton humbly Sheweth
That the inhabitants of said Town labour under many and
25
354 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
great inconveniances, and without that succour and releif which
every infant Country expects from the Government to which
she owes her allegiance, they must remain in but very indigant
circumstances ; and the state not receive that emolument, that it
might justly expect from a Country so fertile as this, when prop-
erly peopled. Nothing more effectually hinders the emigra-
tion of inhabitants to this part of the state, than the badness of
our roads, and the want of a conveniant place to worship that
being, to whom all owe their existance. The formation of the
town being very peculiar, on account of marshes creeks and
large streams and the number of inhabitants being but very
small ; consequantly the expence of making and mending
roads, building bridges meeting house &c must be very great —
One large stream, known by the name of Israels river, is so
formidable where it must be bridged, to accomodate the travel
up and down Connecticut river and likewise the travel to and
from Portsmouth, (our most advantageous port) that it must
cost, at a moderate Computation two hundred pounds. The
inhabitants have solicited the nonresidant land owners, for as-
sistance (many of whom live out of the state,) but they have
entirely refused, — ■
Your petitioners are therefore, necessitated to pray your hon-
ours to pass an act empowering the selectmen of said Lancaster
to levev, and Collect a tax of three pence on each acre of land
(Publick Rights excepted) for the purpose of making roads
building bridges meeting house &c, &c, and a continuation of
one penny on the acre, annually for the term of five Years, to-
be appropriated to the aforesaid purposes. And that the prayer
of your petitioners be granted, or such assistance or directions,
be given, as Your honours may see fit ; your Petitioners as in
duty bound shall ever pray
Lancaster y e 4 th September 1787
per order of ( Jonas Wilder j
the Town -( Edw ds Bucknam > Committee
Emmens Stockwell j
[The foregoing petition was granted. — Ed.]
[6-10] [Petition relative to Roads, iy88.~]
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives
for the State of New hampshire (humbly Sheweth) The In-
habitants of A Place Called Uper Coos That they began Setel-
ment at that Place mor than twentithree Years ago and Ever
Since have Continued their Setelment through many Dificulties
LANCASTER.
355
Especialy on account of the Badness of the Roads through Lit-
tleton and Dalton which have never been properly Cleared nor
bridged by which means wagons or Sleighs pass with the
greatest Danger and never more than half a Load which Sub-
jects the Inhabitants of Said Coos to very Large Expence in
transporting necessary foreign articles and others in Removing
with their famileys and Efects from Connecticut Massachuesetts
and the Easterly part of New-Hampshire to the Same Dificul-
ties which very much Impedes & hinders the Setelment of the
Towns on Connecticut River &c Lying above S d Littleton &
Dalton Your Petitioners beg Leave to farther Sugjest that the
Townships of Littleton and Dalton being owned by only a few
Gentelmen and the Towns not Vested with Power nor the In-
habitants of ability to Lay out Clear bridge and Make Passable
Said Road through which Your Petitioners must Pass on any
Business belonging to the Probate, or County Matters, Where-
fore your Petitioners Pray Your Honors to take their Case into
Your wise Consideration and order that the Road be made Pas-
able and keept in good Repair through Said Towns of Littilton
& Dalton to the acceptance a Commitee to be appointed for that
Purpose or by Some other way as Your Honors Shall See fit
and Your Petitioners Will Ever Pray
May 10 th 1788
Inhabitants of Lancaster
Jonas Wilder
Aamasa Grout
Jonas Baker
Joseph Brackett
Edw ds Bucknam
Phinehas Hodgin
Jer h Eames Ju r
Thos Eames
Joseph Peverly
Hez 1 Fuller
David Jnoson
Heth Baldwin
Elijah Hinman
Joshua Lamken
John Cole
Francis Willson
John Weeks
Abijah Darby
Walter Philbrook
Samuel Johnson
Hopestill Jenison
Northumberland
Abner osgood
J. Whipple
Daniel Spaulding
Stratford
Archippus Blodget
Jabez Baldwin
Elijah Blodget
Oliver Lamkin
James Curtiss
Piercy
Caleb Smith
David Page
Emons Stockwell
Ephraim Griggs
Will m Johnson
Jonathan Hartwell
Abel Bennett
thomas Burnside
lames Burnside
Josiah Blodget
James Brown
Nucomb Blodget
Benj n Strong
William Curtiss
356 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-1 1 ] \Relative to the JFoi*mation of Cods County, iygoJ\
To the Honourable senate and house of Representatives of the
state of Newhampshire to be convened a Concord on the first
Wednesday in Jan y next,
The petition of the select Men of the towns of Lancaster
Northumberland and Stratford, for and in behalf of the respect-
ive towns, Humbly Sheweth ; That our located situation in the
northern part of the state is such, that it will be perticularly
beneficial for us, to have Conway and adjacent towns annexed
to us, in the formation of the northerly County in s d state, not
only on account of the occupancy and improvement of our most
advantageous road to seaport, but in order to promote emi-
grants, and agriculture in this fertile & healthy territory ; the
promotion of which, we humbly conceive will be of publick
utility and the state to which we owe our allegiance, will re-
ceive emolument in proportion to the opulency of this part of
the state — And your petitioners as in duty bound w r ill ever
pray—
Lancaster Dec r 29 th 1790
Edw ds Bucknam *
Emmons Stockvvell
Francis Willson
Select Men
for Northumberland
Joseph Peverly J> Lancaster
Jer m Eames and
Elijah Hinman Stratford
James Brown
[6-12] [Petition for a JVew County, iygi.~\
To the Honorable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Lancaster in the County
of Grafton
Humbly Sheweth
That Your Petitioners live at the distance of near sixty miles
from the nearest shire Town in this County
That a very considerable part of the Inhabitants of this part
of the County live above us and are under similar disadvantages
with us,
That the Roads to Haverhill our nearest shire Town are ex-
ceeding bad and at some seasons of the year unpassable,
Wherefore we your petitioners pray that we may be seperated
from the said County of Grafton and made a new County by a
LANCASTER.
357
line drawn from Conecticut River between the Towns of Con-
cord alias Gunthwait and Littleton and on Eastward taking in
the Towns of Conway Eaton &c to the Province line so call'd
and we as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Lancaster Nov r 22 nd 1791
Edw ds Bucknam
William Bruce
Stephen Willson
Jeremiah Willcox
Emmens Stockwell
Robert Go tarn
Francis Willson
Joseph Bruce
Jonas Wilder junur
Asaph Darby
Jonas Baker
Jonathan Cram
Edward Spaulding
Will m Moore
Joseph Brackett
Ephraim Wilder
John Weeks
Jon a Hartwell
Nathan Lovewell
Joseph Wilder
Samuel Johnson
Dennis Stanley
Isaac Darby
Phinehas Bruce
Elisha Wilder
John Rosbrook
Ezra Reves
Benj a Twombly
Walter Philbrook
Moses Page
John Mackintire
Abijah Darby
Bradfor Sanderson
Zadock Samson
Jonathan ros
Daniel How
David Stockwell
Daniel Chany
John Wilder
Jonas Wilder
Manassah Wilder
Charles Rosbrook
David Page
James Twombly
Coffin Moore
Phinehas Hodgdon
William Johnson
[Coos county was formed in 1803. — Ed.]
[6-13] [Petition to have tJie Right of Ferries vested in the
Town, iyg2.~\
State of New Hampshire
Lancaster y e 30 th May 1792
To the Hon ble Gen 1 Court to be holden at Dover in said State
on the first Wednesday of June 1792 —
Humbly Sheweth the Selectmen of Lancaster in behalf of
said Town, that there is a necessity for keeping ferries a cross
the River Connecticut from Lancaster to Guildhall & Lunen-
burgh in Vermont — They therefore pray your Honors to grant
to the said Town of Lancaster the exclusive privilege for ever
of keeping ferries a cross said River extending so far as said
River runs through said Lancaster And your Petitioners will
ever pray —
John Weeks } o i ,
tt o, i 11 > Selectmen
Emmons Stockwell j
Lancaster y e 12 th Nov r 1792
We Certify that the within Petition & order of Court thereon
35§ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
has been posted up at the house of Col Jonas Wilder as the
most Public House in said town more than six weeks
John Weeks ) ,
t? c*. i 11 r selectmen
Lmmens btockwell j
Jonas Baker Town Clerk
Jonas Wilder
Edw ds Bucknam
Joseph Brackett
Joseph Wilder
[Not granted. — Ed.]
[6-14] Petition for Authority to levy a Special Tax for
Road purposes, iyg2.~\
To the Honorable the Senate and the Honorable House of
Representatives of the state of New Hampshire to Convene
at Exetor on the third Wednesday of Nov 1 Instant —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the town of Lancaster
Humbly Sheweth that about four years past the Honorable
Gen 1 Court Granted a tax on all the lands in said Lancaster
public Rights excepted for the purpose of making Roads
Bridges &c in said Town that by some unfourseen fattallity
the business was not Accomplished and a considerable part of
the roads through said Lancaster to our nearest seaport and
Shire Town is yet almost impassable, That a Considerable part
of the Township is owned by Nonresidants and the settlements
very Inconsiderable in said Town and the Roads being very
lengthy being about nine Miles on Connecticutt River and the
Roads leading from said Connecticutt River Eastward to Dart-
mouth almost as far Distance the making passable said Roads
being very Chargable and Insuportable to the Inhabitants ;
therefore your Petitioners pray Your Honours to order that a
Tax of two pence per acre for two Years may be Assessed on
all the lands in said Town and that a Committee may be Ap-
pointed to lay out said Tax in the most advantageous maner or
grant such other Releaf in the premises as your Honors shall
think best — And Your Petitioners as In Duty bound shall ever
pray —
Lancaster y e 12 th Nov r 1792
Fortunatus Eager Jonathan Cram John Rosbrook
John Rosbrook J ur Titus O Brown Emmens Stockwell
Charles Rosbrook John Holms Joseph Wilder
Jonas Wilder Elisha Wilder Asahel Biglow
William Bruce Phineas Bruce Nathan Lovewell
LANCASTER. 359
Benjamin Orr David Page Edw d Spaulding
David Stockwell Abijah Darby Will m Johnson
JVIoses Page Joseph Brackett Coffin Moore
Dennis Stanley Walter Philbrook
W m Moore Jonas Baker
£6-1 6] \_Petition of Eleazer Rosbrook for a Ferry, 1792. ~\
State of New Hampshire —
Lancaster June I st 179 2
To the Hon 1 Gen 1 Court to be convened at Dover in said State
the first Wednesday of said June —
Humbly Sheweth Eleazer Rosbrook — that he has opened
and kept a Ferry across Connecticut! River at said Lancaster
for several Years past by means of which the public have been
considerably benefited — that for and during the time which he
has kept said ferry it has been rather an expence to him than
otherwise, and most probably no great advantage can arise
thereby for some time yit to come, though it may be profitable
at some future period — wherefore he prays Your Honors to
grant him his Heirs and assigns the exclusive priviledge of
keeping a ferry across said River under such restrictions and
regulations as may appear proper and Your Peti r will ever
pray—
Eleazar Rosbrook
[The foregoing petition was granted. — Ed.]
£6-17] [Petition for Special Tax to make Roads, iygj.~\
The Hon ble General Court of the State of New Hampshire —
The Petition of the Town of Lancaster in said State humbly
sheweth —
That the said town of Lancaster is such that the public Road
leading through s d town on Connecticutt River is upwards of
ten Miles in Length and is attended with many Creeks Valies
and Streems that leads into said River, where Bridges and
Casways are needed to be built, and the Road leading through
said town up Israels River towards Conway is attended with
the like Impediments and that one other Road is much wanted
to be opened through the Center of said town from Connecti-
cutt River leading a Corse through said town and Whitefield
and on to Thornton and Plymouth which road if opened would
360 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
shorten the Distance from Lancaster to Plymouth about thirty
Miles which Road will in all probability be opened in said
town the Ensuing Year — The Inhabitants of said Town being
but small in Numbers, having the season past erected a large
meeting house and are loaded with great Expences for the
same, their Roads &c ; and the Major part of the proprietors
and land owners of said town live at New York and out of this
State and are unwilling to Assist the Inhabitants of said town
in these Burthensome Matters altho, — they are as much beni-
fited thereby in the Rise of their lands as the Inhabitants of
said town Therefore your petitioners pray your Honours would
make a Grant of three pence on each and every Acre of land
in said town viz one penny each year the three next succeeding
Years and appoint a Committee to levy and Collect the same
and apply it in opening the New and Repairing the other
Roads and Bridges in said Town — And Your petitioners will
ever pray —
December y e 21 st 1793
Edw ds Bucknam \ Committee
Emmons Stockw r ell > in behalf of
Jonas Baker j the Town
[4-18]
At a Legal Meeting of the Voters of this town of Lancaster
held this 22 d Nov 1- 1793 —
Voted to petition the Hon ble Gen 1 Court for land tax to re-
pair the roads Bridges &c in s d Town —
Voted Col Edwards Bucknam Cap* John Weeks and Jonas
Baker Committee to make out a petition to the Hon ble Gen 1
Court for the above purpose —
Dec r 21 st 1793 — Met agreable to adjournment and Voted to
chuse a Committee to sign the petition to the Hon ble Gen 1 Court
for a land tax as made out by the Com tec chosen for that pur-
pose and Chose Col Ed ds Bucknam Cap 1 Emmons Stock well
and Jonas Baker for s d Committee — Voted Col 1 Ed ds Bucknam
Ajant for the Town on s d petition —
A true Coppy from the Records attest —
Jonas Baker Town Clerk
[Capt. John Weeks settled in Lancaster in 1787. He was
the father of Hon. John W. Weeks, who commanded a com-
pany in the war of 18 12, and was brevetted for gallant ser-
vice at Chippewa. He was a member of the state senate
in 1827 and 1828, and of congress in 1829 to 1 831. He
died in 1853.
LANDAFF. 36 1
Emmons Stockwell was one of the first settlers, a sturdy
old hero, who refused to be frightened away by the Indians,
and occupied his castle in that frontier town during the
Revolutionary war. — Ed.]
LANDAFF.
The township was granted Jan. 31, 1764, to James Avery
and others, who failed to comply with the conditions of the
grant, and it was declared by the governor and council to
be forfeited.
Jan. 19, 1770, the tract was granted to Dartmouth col-
lege, with the usual conditions and reservations. Settle-
ments were made under the latter grant to some extent,
roads opened, and a mill built at the expense of the college,
and on the nth day of November, 1774, the town was in-
corporated by the governor and council.
After the Revolutionary war the first grantees claimed
that their alleged forfeiture was not legal, and maintained
their claim : the college had to abandon its title and lose
what it had expended in making settlements. A com-
pensation was however made to the college soon after, by
the grant, Feb. 5, 1789, of a tract of land containing 40,960
acres on Connecticut river.
By an act approved July 2, 1845, a tract of land was sev-
ered from Lincoln and annexed to this town. June 23,
1859, all that part of Landaff lying north-west of Ammo-
noosuc river was annexed to Lisbon.
The town was divided July 20, 1876, and the east part
incorporated into a town by the name of Easton.
[6-1] [Town- Meeting Proceedings, I'j'j'j '.]
At a Legal meeting of the Inhabitance of the Town of Lan-
daff holden at the House of mr Joseph Warner in s d Landaff
on the I st Day of febuary 1777, to Consider and Determin what
they will Do relitive to the Letter sent to them by the Assem-
blys Commity bearing Date Jenuary 10 th 1777 In Answer to
which Voted that this town Appoint mr Joseph Warner Cap*
Nathaniel Hovey and Leu* Josiah How who are our Commity
362 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of Safety to act In our behalf In treating with the Assemblys
Commity and that our s d Commity do not enter into any
measure for accomidation with s d Assemblys Commity but In
Conjunction with the united Commity whose meeting now
stands Adjon d to the 13 th of february Instant to be holden at
Lebanon and that a Copy of this Voat be transmited to the
Assemblys Commity as quick as may be
A true Copy of the original minits by order of the Com-
mity —
Joseph Warner")
Nath 11 Hovey V Selectmen
Josiah How )
Test ' Nath 11 Hovey Town Clark
To the honorable Meshech Weare Esq r &c Committee from the
Assembly at Exeter.
[6-2] \_Petition for an Allow ct7ice for Services in the War,
i 7 86,-\
State of New Hampshire County of Grafton —
To the Honorable the general Court of the said State, to be
convened at Portsmouth on the first day of February ADora.
1786—
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Landaff in
said County, humbly sheweth ; that innumerable & inexpres-
sible were the difficulties and distresses your petitioners suf-
fered thro' the course of the late war in America ; by being
situated in a large extensive uncultivated Country almost desti-
tute of Inhabitants, inviron'd about with a barbarous, cruel &
merciless enimy, we were undefended and utterly unable to put
ourselves in a warlike state of defence against those sanguinary
Savages, who were lying in ambush to kill, burn, lay waste
and destroy indiscriminately, all that were opposite to their
vile & inhuman proceedings. Being thus exposed and living
in constant jeopard of our lives, we were frequently alarm'd
and obliged to join our feeble efforts on sudden emergences for
the immediate preservation of our lives and properties, and
were at great expence in guarding, scouting, building Forts &c.
for which service we have never received any recompence or
reward, from the State. Notwithstanding, if we could sup-
pose ourselves to be upon an equality with other towns in this
State, and that we had done no more than our just proportion,
we should rest perfectly easy and satisfied with the benefits
accruing from the glorious Conquest obtained by the loss of
immense quantities of Blood and Treasure. Altho' our Cir-
LANDAFF. 363
cumstances at this day are very difficult indeed by reason of the
extreme scarcity of Money ; taxation is almost an insupportable
burden, nevertheless your petitioners will exert every Nerve,
with the greatest alacrity for the due observance of all your
laws & regulations, but as it hath been a Custom heretofore to
reward those that have done service or expended Money in
the Common cause for the Defence of the State, we take en-
couragement therefrom, and most ardently pray your honors to
take our Circumstances under your wise Consideration and
make us some allowance for our former Services as set forth
in this petition, or otherwise as your honors shall think proper.
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Landaff Jan^y 6 25 th
ADom. 1786— Jon a Blake ) for Said
James Sawyer j Inhabitants
Selectmen
[6-3] \_Relative to Refirese?itative Class, jy88.~\
State of New Hampshire County of Grafton —
To the Hon ble the Senate & house of Representatives to be con-
vened at Concord on Wednesday the fourth day of June
next —
The petition of Nathaniel Hovey, Jonathan Blake, John
Clark, Nathaniel Webber, James Snow, Jeremiah Hutchins,
Jacob Hurd, John Cleaveland, Henry Hancock and John Mer-
rill in behalf of themselves & the inhabitants of the Towns of
Landaff and Bath in said County, humbly shews — That the
difficulties and inconveniences attending the said Towns being
classed with Gunthwait, Lymon. & Littleton to chuse a Repre-
sentative, are numerous and almost insuperable, on account of
the great distance the people have to travel, (more especially
those that live in the extreme parts of said Towns,) to attend
the meetings held for that purpose, at a season of the year
when the Roads are generally extreme bad and the Rivers open
or about breaking up, so that it is very dangerous and some-
times almost impossible to pass over them For which reasons
and others that might be ennumerated, the choice of our Rep-
resentatives heretofore has been very unequal and commonly
made by a small number. The situation of the Contry is such
& the people live so remote from each other that they never can
assemble together in any one place in this District as now
formed, without much fatigue & difficulty ; and the said Towns
of Landaff & Bath having at least one hundred & forty one
legal voters therein, and are so well situated to form a District
that might be attended with many advantages, and the people
364 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
favoured with many privileges that the}' cannot otherwise enjoy ;
therefore your petitioners most ardently entreat your honors to
take the premises under your wise consideration and grant lib-
erty for the inhabitants of said Landaff & Bath to send a Rep-
resentative to the general Court of said state, and that the meet-
ings for electing one, might be held annually at the dwelling
house of Cap* Jeremiah Hutchins in said Bath — or otherwise
as you may think proper And your petitioners as in duty bound
shall ever pray &c —
Landaff" May y e 20 th 1 788—
Nath 11 Hovey ^
Jon a Blake | Committee
John Clark V for said
Nath 11 Webber Landaff.
James Snow
Jeremiah Hutchins 1
John Cleaveland '.Committee
John Merrill j for said
Henry Hancock J Bath.
[R. 2-176] [Landaff claims Edward Marden, Soldier. ,]
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon General Court of said State to be Convened at
Portsmouth on the first Day of Feb 7 next by adjournment —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Landaff humbly sheweth —
That when the Requisition for soldiers was made to the State
said Inhabitants being inform'd that they ware cal'd on to fur-
nish one man for three years or during the w r ar at great ex-
pence hir'd one Edward Mardin then lately come to Town, to
serve and answer for their Proportion of said Requisition. —
That through some mistake said Mardin was returned for
Northumberland, without the knowledge of said Mardin, Lan-
daff, or Northumberland, — That said Mardin was never an In-
habitant of Northumberland. * * * *
Landaff Jany 21 st 17S6. —
Jon a Blake
for s d Inhabitants —
[The town presented a sworn statement of Marden's, cer-
tifying that he was hired by Landaff and paid ,£30; was
never an inhabitant of Northumberland. The committee
reported in favor of Landaff, which was adopted. Marden
served in Whitcomb's corps. — Ed.]
LANDAFF. 365
[R. 2-180] [Relative to a Bunker Hill Soldier, etc.']
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened —
Humbly shews — James Mitchell of Landaff in said State,
that in June 1775, he furnished his Brother William Mitchell,
then a soldier, with a valuable Gun and some other articles (to
the amount of four pounds) necessary for the then intended ex-
pedition against the British Troops in Boston which gun and
other articles were lost at the Battle at Bunker Hill, where the
said William lost his Life — that in September 1 777 De hired
one Amos Hastings, and in July 1778 one Stephen Hall, to go
into the service of the United States for him, for which your
petitioner gave them about eleven pounds as a Bounty expect-
ing that at some future period some equitable mode would be
devised for reimbursing those, who had contributed more than
their proportion in defence of their Country — for all which
your petitioner has received no kind of compensation — Your
petitioner begs leave further to shew, that in September 1778,
at the special desire of Major Henry Moore, then a Collector
of Cattle for the use of the army, he purchased thirteen oxen
and gave his notes for the same, amounting to six hundred and
sixty five pounds payable in six weeks ; expecting within that
time to receive the money of the said Moore ; — that he was put
to great expence in keeping and driving the said oxen, and was
kept out of the money so long, and so distressed by law suits
for it, that your petitioner sustained a loss of one hundred and
fifty pounds at least, and was obliged to sell his Farm for a sum
much below its value. * * *
Jany, 23 d 1794
James Mitchell
[6-4] [Petition for Authority to tax Non-Residents, iy8g.~\
To the Hon ble the Senate & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened —
Humbly shews the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of
Landaff in the County of Grafton and State aforesaid, that the
Public Highways leading through said Town are in a very
bad condition, and in many places almost and totally impas-
sible, — that the expence of making altering and repairing said
Highways will be large, — that whatever has hitherto been done
in making & repairing Highways in said Town -has been at the
expence of the Inhabitants & Residents in said town, without
any expence to Nonresidents —
Your petitioners therefore pray your Honors to pass an Act
366
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
authorizing the raising of a Tax of three cents per acre on
Resident & Non-resident Lands in said Landafffor the purpose
of making altering & repairing highways within said Town &
your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray —
Landaff June th 1 798 —
Eben r Eaton John Cogswell
Benj Currier Nath 11 Rix
David Atwood Rich d Clement
Sargent Currier Jon a Noyes
Thos Noys Joseph Morrill
Jacob Moody Jonathan Clark
James Snow Eph m Edwards
Ephraim Cushman Nathaniel Noyes
Samuel Noyes Jun r Jon a Poor
Jereh Martin Isaiah Cross
James Simonds Jon a Simonds
Luke Libby Savory Patee
Alexander Hodge Jon a Blake
John Clark Jr
Joseph Jewett
Simeon Edwards
Joshua Belknap
Birnsley Edwards
Sam 1 Mann
Jn° Johnson
Moses Noyes
Alexander M c Keen
Jeremiah Bowin
Aaron Wodley
Day Patee
Peter Carleton
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 29, 1798, the foregoing petition
Senate concurred. — Ed.]
was granted.
[6-5]
To the Honourable Senate & House of Representatives to be
convened at Exeter on the first Wednesday of December A. D.
1799 Most Humbly sheweth —
That the selectmen of Bath presented a certificate to us the
undersigned Selectmen of Landaff purporting that there was
entered on their valuation for the year 1799 more than one
Hundred & fifty rateable male polls of twenty one years of
Age and upwards, and that they should not join with Landaff
& Lincoln in sending a representative to the General court in
future — therefore your petitioners (at the request of the inhabi-
tants) of s d Landaff most humbly pray that an act pass that
the Towns of LandafT Franconia and Lincoln be classed to-
gether for the purpose of sending a representative to the general
court in future — and your petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever pray —
Joseph Morrill") Selectmen
Ezra Chandler >■ of
Peter Carlton \ Landaff
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 27, 1799, tne foregoing request was
ranted. Landaff was classed with Franconia and Lincoln.
-Ea]
LANGDON. 367
LANGDON.
The town was formed from territory taken from the towns
of Charlestown and Walpole, and incorporated Jan. n, 1787.
It was named in honor of Hon. John Langdon, at that time
speaker of the house of representatives.
Settlements were made on territory now in this town by
Seth Walker in 1773, and by Nathaniel Rice and Jonathan
Willard the year following. Rev. Abner Kneeland, who
was ordained over a Universalist church here in 1805, was
one of the leading men in that denomination in New Eng-
land for some years, and published a periodical devoted to
his peculiar tenets, called the Boston Investigator. In 1795
the town might have been extended to Connecticut river,
but it refused, by vote, to accept the proffered addition.
[6-20] \_Petitio7ifor Authority to tax Non- Residents, iy8g.~\
State of New Hampshire May 27 th 1789 —
To the Hon ble Senate and house of Representatives Conveined
at Concord June 4 th 1789
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Langdon
Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioners are few In number and inhabit a new
Town or District of land a considerable part of which Is owned
by nonresident proprietors and that they are not able to make
the necessary public Roads and Bridges and in particularly a
Bridge over Cold River so called which is very Rapid and in
the bpring and Fall at high water is not passible and the Ex-
pence of build the Bridge and making said roads exceeds the
ability of your petitioners They therefore most Humbly pray
your Honors to Impower them to Leavy a Tax of one penny
on each acre of the non resident proprietors Land in said town
for the purposes aforesaid or grant your petitioners such other
Relief as you in your Wisdon shall think Propper and your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray —
John Prouty ~) Select Men for and in be-
Ezra Read > half of the Inhabitants
Jeremiah Howard ) of the Town of Langdon
Langdon May 27 th 1789
The Committee on the within petition Report a Tax of one
368 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
penny be laid on each Acre of Land in said Town for one Year
& they have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly
Nat Rogers for the Com
[In H. of Rep., June n, 1789, the report was adopted.
Senate concurred. — Ed.]
[6-21] \_Petition for Special Tax to build a Meeting- House,
1793 '•]
To the Honourable General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire to be holden at Concord on first Wednesday of June
Next—
The petition of the Select men of Langdon Humbly Shew-
eth — that whereas the Inhabitants of said town are aboute to
Build a meeting House for the better Conveannance of meet-
ing for publick worship &c as soon as thay think them Selves
in a Sittuation to accomplish it and Considering that there is in
said town Considerable Land of Non-residents which by build-
ing said meeting house will be likely to be more Valueable,
these are therefore to pray your Hounours to Grant Liberty for
said town to Tax said Lands two pence on Each acre which
money to be laid out toward said building whenever said town
shall see fit to build said house or otherways Do as you Hon-
nours in your wisdom think best and your Petitioners as in
Duty bound will Ever Pray
James Egerton ~\ Select men
Sam 1 Prouty of
Langdon May 27 1793
John Prentiss J Langdon
[6-22] [ Vote of Town relative to extending its North Line,
At a Legal Town meetin in Langdon the third Day of march
1795 the following Vote was taken for extending Langdon
North Line to the River Connecticut thare appeared to be
thirty three Votes for extending said Line to said River and
thirty against Extending said Line to said River at A Legal
town meeting in Langdon May II th 1 795. Called at the Requst
of a Number of Free Holders to Know the mind of the Town
it thay Will have Langdon North Line Extend to the River
Connecticut acording to the Vote Recorded at our Last annual
meeting or Not — thare appeared to be thirty seven Votes Not
LEBANON. 369
to Extending said Line to s d River and twenty three Votes for
extending said Line to said River
A Trew Coppey Record
atest — James Egerton Town Clark
Langdon May 13 th 1795
[The town of Charlestown had given its consent to the
annexation of that portion of its territory lying between
Langdon and Connecticut river to the latter town, and the
inhabitants residing thereon had petitioned to be thus an-
nexed (Vol. XI, p. 295). Had this project succeeded, both
towns would have been more symmetrical, and Langdon
would have had a river front and a railroad within its bor-
ders.— Ed.]
LEBANON.
The township was granted July 4, 1761, to Nehemiah
Estabrook and 59 others, in 68 equal shares, with the usual
reservations. Some of the grantees were from Lebanon,
Conn., and the town was named for their old home.
The first settlements were made by William Dana, Silas
Waterman, William Downer, and Nathaniel Porter.
Lebanon was one of the towns that attempted to unite
with Vermont, and was represented in the convention at
Cornish, April 5, 1781, by Col. Elisha Payne and Elihu
Hyde. Some documents relative to the matter may be
found among the following papers.
This was the first town settled on Connecticut river north
of Charlestown, and has been for many years one of the
leading towns in that section in wealth and population.
Lead and iron ore were found here many years ago, and a
copper mine, more recently discovered, is now being devel-
oped by the Mascoma Mining Company.
[6-23] [Report of Committee on Boundaries, If68.~]
Sir—
With Submission, these wait upon you with Respect, and
may Serve
26
370 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To Inform that we the Subscribers, Com tees for the proprieties
of
Lebanon and Plainfield, in pursuance to your advice, have
Established a Bound Between the Said Towns, and as near
The Centre as possible, Sd. Bound being a Large White
Pine tree, mark'd. 3 and 4. and Standing a Little Below the
Meadow. Called Hedgehog meadow, in Said Lebanon Just in
The bend of the River : on the N. Side of a hill, on the East
bank
Of Connecticut River —
These are therefore to Desire the favour, of your Hon 1 if you in
Your wisdom Shall Judge our proceedure in Said affair to be
Legal and Conclusive ; To Certifie the Same, to his Excel-
lency
For his approbation, thereof, that the Same maybe Established
As to Law and Custom doth appertain —
And we as in duty bound, beg leave to Subscribe. —
Your Honours most Obedient
And very Humble Serv ts John Wheatley
Nathaniel Porter
Dated in Lebanon Charles Hill
New Hampshire Oc e I st 1768 — Thomas Gates
Thomas Gallup
John Stevens
[6-24] [Return of Arms and Equipme?its, 1775.]
Grafton ss — Lebanon August 21 st 1 775 —
A Return of Fire arms now in Said Lebanon Judged to be Fit
for actual Service, Firelocks 55
Other Accoutrements now in hand, or to be procured immedi-
ately — Fire arms wanting to Compleat the whole of the
inhabitants of Said Lebanon able to bear arms 27
it is the Humble Request of the Selectmen of Said Lebanon,
in behalf of Said Town, that the Hon ble the provincial Con-
gress, would make provision for the Supplying the above Defi-
ciencies in Said Lebanon, according to the proposal made by
Said Congress — For the Equipting of the militia throughout
this province —
Nehemiah Estabrook") c , ,
J„- Wheatley ^lect
John Griswold )
[Superscription] To The Hon ble Matthew Thornton Esq r
Chairman of the provincial Congress.
LEBANON. 371
[R. 2-1 81] [Petition of Nathaniel Bugbee, Soldier': ad-
dressed to the General Assembly.~\
May it please your Honours : the petition of Nath 1 Bugbee
Humbly Sheweth ; — That your petitioner Listed a private Sol-
dier, in the year 1777 in Cap* John House 8 Company & Col
Sylley s Reg* of foot, Raised by the s d State for three years ser-
vice in the Continental Army : * * * *
Nathaniel Bugbee
[R. 2-182]
These May Certify that Nath 1 Bugbee Misted April 22 d 1777
for three years, in the Comp y Formerly Commanded by Cap*
John House, in the I s * New Hampshire Regiment, in the Con-
tinental Army, and served in said Company untill April 23,
17S0, Excepting the time he was Absent which time I am Not
Able to Assertain
Daniel Clapp Cap* L* —
To whom it may Concern
The Bearer Nathaniel Bugbyof Col Silley 8 Reg* Cap* House 9
Company being unfitt for Duty has a furlow for two months—
by order of the Director
M as Treat Chir : Gen 1 N D
Gen 1 Hospital Northern Department Octo* 25 th 1777 —
[He also presented a certificate from "John Williams
Physician," dated Lebanon, May 26, 1778, relative to his
condition ; and one dated October 24th, 1785, signed Nehe-
miah Estabrook, Elihu Hyde, committee of safety, and Theo.
Huntington, Simeon Peck, selectmen. — Ed.]
[R. 2-185]
[In a petition dated May n, 1778, John Slapp stated that
his "son Edward Slapp of Lebanon Listed into the Conti-
nental Service April 25 th 1777, in Cap* Jn° House s Comp^
— in Col° Cilley s Reg* & was at Ticonderoga when that
important post was Evacuated ; " that he was taken sick,
and died at the house of Ichabod Cross, of Shaftsbury, on
the way home. He asked for an allowance. The follow-
ing endorsement is on the back of the petition : " Stop a
little while till they pay Taxes." — Ed.]
372 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-186] [Soldier's Order, 1785.^
To his Excellency the President of the State of New Hamp-
shire
Sir please to Pay unto James Norris or his order all the
Money due to me for three Months Service in Cap 1 Woodmans
Company it being for value rec d p r me
Lebanon Jan y 12 1785
his
Joseph X Steavens
mark
Witness Jon a Norris £4, 3, 4 —
[The following Documents are copied from " Gen. jfo?za.
Chase's Papers " in JV. H. Historical Society's Library.^
Lebanon Sept, the 27 1777 State New hampshier
Sir Pursuant to your order of Saturday Last we have Pro-
cured & sent to Join you the Names of men hearafter mention-
ed
Drafted Lieu* Levi Hide
Joseph Tildan Jn r in John Greys Rom
Solomin mellington
Volontiers Hugkins Stors William Downer Jun r
Nehemiah Estabrooks") Comitty
Azariah Bliss > of Safty
John Griswold J Lebanon
The Names of the Men Drafted in Lebanon 24 th July A D 1777
Serg* Oliver Gris- Joseph Downer Zalmon Aspenwall
wold Constant Storrs George Wales
Corp 1 Joseph Martin Joseph Tilden Jr Eleaz r Mather Porter
Rufus Baldwin Ebba Peck Jeremiah Griswold
Azariah Bliss Jr Joseph Wood Jr
Asa Colburn Isaiah Bliss
Lieu' William Danas Return
A Return of Contanantal men that Enlisted out of Lebanon for
3 years — In Col°Sylla s Rigerment in Cap 1 John House 3 Com-
pany in April 1777
LEBANON.
373
Names
Age
Discription
John Colburn
33
Light Complextion 5 feet
9 inches high
Phinehas Wright
27
" " 6 "
u
Jonathan Conant
17
5 "
5
u u
Edward Slapp
27
5 "
6
u u
Luther Wheatly
18
5 "
7
U (C
Jonathan Wright
22
5 "
10
u u
Nath 1 Bugbee
2 5
Dark " 5 "
10
cc u
Benj a Owen
19
Light hair & Eyes 5 "
11
u u
Jon a Kingsbury
28
Dark Complextion 5 "
8
u u
The following men Inhabitants of Lebanon engaged for 3
years in the states of Connecticut & Massachusetts Bay
Elisha Tilden 26 Dark Brown hair 5 feet 9 inches high
In Col Wylly s Rigerment
Stephen Tilden 21 Light Complextion 5 feet 8 inches high
In Col Durkee 8 Rigerment
John Landee 26 Light Complextion 5 feet 7 inches high
Samuel Paine Cap*
William Dana Lieu*
Samuel Estabrook Ens"
[ William Dana's Return, .]
Lebanon y e 3 d Sep* 1777
A Return of Both Officers & Soldiers, that are in the Conti-
nental Servis, for three years, or During the present Contest
with grate Britton
Viz for the State of New Hampshire
Ens n Tho s Blake Phynahas Wright Luther Wheatly
Sarg* John Colburn Edward Slapp Jonathan Conant
In Cap* Houses Company Syles Regiment
Hired out of this State —
Nathaniel Bugbee Jonathan Wright Benjamin Owen
for the State New York
Cap* Sam 11 Paine Charles Tilden Stephen Manning
374 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
for the State of Connecticut
Elish Tildin Stephen Tilden
Test William Dana Lieu*
John Slapp Clark
To Col Jonath n Chase
[Noah Paine enlisted July I, 1780, for six months. — Ed.]
[6-25] [Relative to a Committee of Confer e7tce, 1777 .]
State of N : Hamp re Grafton ss —
Jan^ 3 o th 1777—
Whereas, the Select men of Lebanon have Rec d a printed
Letter, in behalf of a Com tee Said to be appointed by a Gen 1
Assembly of this State, to treat with Such persons, or Com tees
as Shall be appointed by any Town or Towns, that are Dissat-
isfied with what is Called a plan of Government in Said State
— In a full meeting of the inhabitants of Said Leb n Resolved,
that Said Com tee appointed as aforesaid Be Reffered to the
Gen 11 meeting of the Corresponding Com tees of Several Towns
in this State, to be Holden at Said Lebanon on Thursday the
13 th Day of Feb y next, at, 10 Oth. Clock A M. at the Dwelling
House of Dea c John Ordway. inn-holder in Said Lebanon — for
the purpose aforesaid —
Attest Silas Waterman C 1
[6-26] [Letter from Nehemiah Estabrook, 1777 >~]
Lebanon Feb y 5 th 1777.
Gentlemen,
The enclosed have been transmitted to me with desire that I
wou'd forward them to you by the first Opportunity, which I
now do by the bearer M r Porter.
I am likewise desired by Committees of various Towns to
inform you that those Towns in these Parts, which are aggrieved
with the proceedings of the Assembly at Exeter have united
by their Committees to concert measures to obtain redress ; and
that their meeting is to be held by adjournment at the House of
Deacon Ordway at Lebanon on the 13 th Instant — And as it ap-
pears to be the general Sintiment in these Parts that the only
effectual means of producing that harmony and union you pro-
pose will be a Conference with said meeting of Committees, I
LEBANON. 375
am desired to request the favour that you will attend said meet-
ing that a solid Foundation may thereby be laid for effecting
those desirable and important Purposes.
I am Gentlemen with much respect,
Your most obedient
and humble Servant
Nehemiah Estabrook chairman of
said united Committees
[6-27] [ Complaint of N. H. Adherents, iy/8.~\
To the Hon ble the Council & Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire —
We the Subscribers, being Inhabitants of Lebanon in the
County of Grafton and State afores d Humbly Petition and give
your Hon rs to be Informed, that for Some Time past we have
been greatly abused & harrassed by a Power, usurped without
Right, to which we neither owe nor own Allegiance, and by
which we have been prohibited, from Yielding that Subjection
& Obedience to the State of New Hampshire which is Justly
due. and whereby we are deprived of those Rights and Privi-
ledges to which we are Justly entitled as Subjects of s d State,
and are liable to many & great Evils and Burdens for want of
that Protection which we humbly conceive, may be dutifully
requested and demanded from the State of New Hampshire —
Wherefore we most humbly pray that your Hon rs will take
Such resolutions on the premises as may effectually redress the
Grievances of your Petitioners and restore them to their Just
Rights & Priveledges & the Protection of said State, and may
be duly represented in the Gen 1 Assembly and have Justice ad-
ministered under the Authority of the Same —
And your Pet rs Shall ever pray &c
Lebanon 15 th Dec r 1778
Charles Hill Sam 11 Bailey Phinehas Wright
William Downer jur James Jones Sam 11 Millington
Solomon Millington John gray Jesse Heath
Ebenezer Bliss Jabez Baldwin W m wakefield
Isaac Cory Beniamin fuller William Downer
Joseph Tilden Jr Simeon Hovey Josiah Hovey
Joseph Wood Eliezer Robinson James Fuller
December 24 — at a Meeting of the Within Named petioners
376 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Voted S d Petition be Shewn to the Select men of ye town
Voted that this meeting Be Adjourned to the 28 th instant
Jesse Heath Clark
Dec 1)r 28 th the above petitioners met by adjournment and
Voted mr. william Downer their agent to present S d petition to
the Hon ble Asembly of S d State or in there reses to the Hon ble
president and Council and Receive Their answer —
Jesse Heath Clarke
[6-28] [Relative to a?i alleged Riot, iyyg.~\
Lebanon Newhamshire July 27 th 1779
To the Hon bl Meshack Ware and the Hon ble Councel of the
State of Newhamshire —
Gentlemen : your petitioners desire to inform your Honers of
A late disturbance in this town : against all Law both Humane
and divine=and in defyance of the authority of the State: a
number of men went to the dweling House of m r Jams Joans
in the Evening of the 22 d inst. And by force and Violence,
toock him from his bed and bound Him on a horse with his
face to the horses tail : and he was obliged to Ride in that
maner four or five miles=to a tavern they following him with
Bells horns & c z=at the tavern they abused him in a most Shock-
ing maner with words and blows : then Return d about half a
mile made a halt and abused him as before : Even thretening
with death till He was oblig d to Comply w T ith thir unreasonable
Demands, your petitioners are Very much threttened if we
Say any thing against Such Conduct, therefore we pray your
Honers to take the mater into Considerration. and Aflbrd us
Such assistance as you in your wisdom Shall think best
Jesse Heath
Sam 1 B;
Charles
leath \
lailey > Com"
s hill j
[6-30] [Protest agai?zst the Action of the Town, 1780. ~]
State of Newhampshire County of Grafton
Lebanon 31 st March 17S0
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the town of Said Lebanon
Who hold our selves in duty bound To be League Subjects of
the State of Newhampshire —
Do hereby publickly remonstrate and protest against the Ille-
gal proceeding of the Town of Lebanon (viz) the Town Voting
LEBANON. 377
to pay no regard To the Authority of the state of Newhamp-
shire and that thay Would Yeild no Obedience to any precept
sent to them from the Authority of Said state for raising men
for the defence of the United states or any other wise —
The Town enacting Laws in town meeting repugnant to the
Laws of the state and adopting the Laws of Connecticut to gov-
ern them Selves by in open violation of the Authority of the
state of Newhampshire Altho thay have Unanimously Ac-
knowlidge themselves under the Jurisdiction of Newhampshire
by Vollentarily confiderating with said State and the Town
under a pretence of authority in a high handed manner fre-
quently stop men in the highway Rob them of their property
even when they have a Certifficate from proper authority to
pass unmolested and Blocking up the publick Highway by
falling Trees Across the path so as to Render it impractible for
Travilors to pass Whereby Travilers have been much injured
and to the disgrace of the Town and many Other Illegal pro-
ceedings inconsistant in themselves and injurious to the public
peace of this and Neibouring towns, — To be Communicated to
the Town forth with
Sam 1 Bailey Jesse Heath Charles Hill
Eben r Bliss W m Downer W m Downer Ju r
Phinehas Wright Sam 1 Millington Sam 1 Millington Ju r
Soloman Millington Benj a Fuller James Fuller
James Jones John Gray Joseph Tilden Jun r
Elezer Robinson Jabez Baldwin W m Wakefield
Joel Kilburn Gideon Baker Nathaniel Hall Jun r
[From Gen. Chase's papers.]
[Call for a Conference Meetiizg, iy8o.~]
Lebanon New Hamshire Grants 23 d October 1780.
Whereas the present Day calls for every Exertion touching
the publick Cause, that our Lives & properties may be safe &
secure from Invasions of our natural and unnatural Enemies &
that we have reason to believe, we have many of the most
abandoned Wretches, that are lost to all the fealings of hu-
manity among us, who do intend the Destruction of this
flourishing Country if not prevented. — We whose names are
here inscribed do request that no time be lost in taking up
all suspected Persons that are Enemical to the Liberties of
this Country — That every Town would exert themselves for
that purpose — That the Towns on this Frontier would form into
some Plan, for the design & purpose of purging out this Detest-
378 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
able Leven. We desire the Committee & Selectmen & the
Principal Inhabitants of the Neighboring Towns would attend
at M r Bliss's Inholder in Lebanon, on Monday the 30 th of Octo-
ber 17S0 for this purpose
Nehemiah Estabrook \ Committee Simeon Peck \ ^ .
Elisha Lathrop } of Theo-Huntington } \ e . - lect
Elihu Hyde ) Safety Nath 1 Stores j Men
A Coppy of a Letter sent to the adjacent Towns
Attest Elijah Dewey Jun r
[6-29] [Relative to Vermont Controversy, Ij82.~\
State of New Hampshire Grafton County
Lebanon 15 : May 1782
To the Hon ble the Council and General Assembly of the State
of New Hampshire —
We the Subscribers Did prefer A Petition to your Honours
Dated at Lebanon 15 th Decern 1- 177S. Setting forth Some Diffi-
culty's & grievances we Laboured under. — & praying for Re-
dress in the premices, — We Rec d an Answer to Said Petition
from the Com ttee of Safety Dated 8 th Jan y 1779 informing us that
the General Assembly had Resolved to take up & Consider the
matter and Endeavour to Redress our Grievances, — Recom-
mending to us to pay no Obedience to any Authority but what
was Derived from the Legeslature of New Hampshire, which
Recommendation we have Steadily Adheared to — and have
publickly Remonstrated against the Illegal & irregular proceed-
ings of the Town in Town Meeting, as will Appear by A Re-
monstrance herewith Exhibitted, which was Laid before the
Town &c —
We would inform your Honours we have always Stood
Ready to pay our Equal proportion of the Taxes Call d for by
the Authority of New Hampshire, but by Reason of being
over powered by Numbers Could Never obtain to have A Reg-
ular List made up to have our Tax proportioned or any Legall
officer to Collect, by which means the money haith Died in our
pockets, —
We now putting Confidence in your Great wisdom and Good-
ness being fully purswaded that you will Compasionate & hear
the prayer of your Distressed Leage Subjects, Do now again
most Earnestly Petition to your Honours to Consider our Case,
and grant us Such Releife in the premises as in your wisdom
you Shall think Just & Reasonable, So as that your Petitioners
may be as Little Sufferers as possible by the Disorderly & Dis-
LEBANON.
379
obedient Conduct of the Town, and the Great Evils and Disad-
vantages they have involved themselves in by not Continuing
Loyal Subjects of the State, and paying their Taxes in Season —
Jesse Heath
Charles Hill
Com 1
[6-31]
[Disputed yurisdiction, iy82.~\
To the Hon ble the Gen 11 Assembly of the State of New Hamp re
To be Holden
Dec r Instant,
at Ports" 10 in s d State, the third Wednesday of
May it please Your Hon rs
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Lebanon in
the County of Grafton in S d State ; having taken into Consider-
ation the Several Resolves of the Hon ble the Continental Con-
gress, Respecting the Disputes that have Arisen about the Ju-
risdiction of the State of N : Hamp re over the Hamp re Grants
(So Called) are of the Opinion that S d Resolves, implicitly de-
clare it to be the Opinion of that August Body, that that part of
S d Grants Lying East of Connecticut River (in which we are
included) Should be under the Jurisdiction of the State of New
Hamp re ; with which we Readily Comply ; and Acknowledge
the same ; Yet, Nevertheless for us to be Obliged to pay the
back State Taxes ; for the time being that we have been uncon-
nected with the State of New Hamp re in matters of Govern-
ment, we Look upon it to be a Hardship, & Trust that your
Hon rs will Consider us in that matter ; & as there is a Consid-
erable Number of the inhabitants of this Town that wholly De-
ny the Jurisdiction of N : Hamp re , — if your Hon rs should find
yourselves Laid under the Disagreeable Necessity of using Co-
ercive measures, with Opposers, to your Authority we Hope
that your Hon rs will make a Specifick Difference between them
& Us, & we as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Joseph Tilden
James Jones
Jesse Heath
Stephen Billing
Nath 1 Hall Ju r
Joseph Chamberlin
Rufus Baldwin
james Hartshorn
Joel Kilborn
Barna Tisdale
W m Downer
David Crocker
An w Wheatley
Sam 1 Bailey
Sam 11 Millington
Gid n Baker
Tho s Bingham
Charles Hill
Simon Slapp
Dan Metcalf
Charles Tilden
Joseph Wood
David Hinckley
Joseph Downer
Silas Waterman
William Dana
Solomon Millington
Sherebiah Ballard
Ziba Hall
Heze Waters
Jn° Wheatley
Oliver Penney
Stephen Tilden
Tho 8 Wells
Phinehas Wright
William Downer jur
Randol Evans
380 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[Documents relative to the dispute concerning the juris-
diction over the New Hampshire grants, east of Connecti-
cut river, may be found in Vol. X. — Ed.]
[6-32] [Relative to recording Grants in Office of the Sec-
retary of State, ij82.~\
To the Honourable Council of the state of New Hampshire and
to the general Assembly of said State to meet at Concord in
said State on the second Tuesday of June in the Year of our
Lord Seventeen hundred and eighty two —
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the town of Lebanon in
the County of Grafton in said State humbly petition and shew
to your Honors — That they are, either original Grantees of
land, granted either by Benning Wentworth, Esq; or John
Wentworth, Esq ; late Governors of said State, or claim land
by virtue of conveyances from such original Grantees — That in
consequence of the confusion that has prevailed in said County
but a small part of the Laws of said State have been received
in said County, for a number of Years so that your Petitioners
never heard of the act of the General Assembly of said State,
entitled An Act For Recording Grants, Locations or Charters
of Lands granted by the late Governors thereof — passed March
the fourth in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and
Eighty, until the time limited in said Act for filing said Grants
&c in the Secretary's Office in said State was elapsed — That
your Petitioners have lately been informed that the time of fil-
ing said Grants &c as aforesaid has since been lengthned by an
Act of said Assembly, but that the time allowed by this Act
had also expired before they received this information — And
that your Petitioners are in danger of losing their lands in con-
sequence of their not knowing of the passing of said Acts —
Your Petitioners therefore pray that a further time may be
allowed for the receiving and recording such Grants &c as
aforesaid — or that such other relief may be granted to your Pe-
titioners as to your Honors shall seem meet, as in duty bound
shall ever pray
Sam 11 Bailey W m Downer Charles Hill
Phinehas Wright William Downer Joseph Downer
James Jones ju. Solomon Millington
Gid" Baker Sam 11 Millington Eliezer Robinson
Joel Kilborn Benjmin Wright Joseph Tilden Ju r
John Gray Nathaniel Hall Ju r
LEBANON. 38I
[6-33] \_Protest against the Incorporation of a District to
be called Dresden, Jy8j — incomplete.']
Objections against the Incorporation of a part of Lebanon &
Hanover in the County of Grafton into a distinct Town —
1 — The freeholders of that part of Lebanon, which is sub-
ject to taxation, & proposed to be taken into said corporation,
are unanimously opposed to such an Incorporation — That is,
those of them, who reside in said Lebanon — Fourteen hundred
and forty Acres are all the land (exclusive of College lands)
lying in said Lebanon proposed to be taken in — Thirteen hun-
dred Acres of which are owned by said resident Freeholders,
and a considerable part of the one hundred and forty Acres re-
maining are owned by a Minor —
2. That the said resident Owners, have done already their
proportion for building up Dartmouth College, and they can
see no reason why they should be subject to the Authority of
said College and their dependants — They have given one hun-
dred and fifty Acres of Land, and in money and labour, to the
amount of Fifteen pounds — Altho but eight in number, and
subject to those difficulties, which generally attend those, who
settle a new Country, And if such an Incorporation should be
made every vote would be carried according to the Inclinations
of the said Autohrity, who will always have a sufficient num-
ber of Dependants to assist them in carrying any point — where-
by the situation of the said resident Owners would be exceed-
ingly uncomfortable. —
3. By such an Incorporation the said Freeholders will be ex-
cluded from all benefit to public rights, and to ministerial and
school privileges in s d Lebanon — The public rights in s d Leba-
non are so far improved and disposed off that a considerable
sum accrues to Lebanon from such Improvements and disposal,
A minister is settled — a meeting house and several School-
houses are built —
From which benefit, the s d Freeholders would be excluded
by such an Incorporation —
4. Many new roads must be made to accomodate such a
Town as is desired — whereas if the s d Freeholders remain as
they are in conjunction with Lebanon, the expence of said new
roads will be saved —
5. That the s d Incorporation will ever greatly be burthened
with poor to maintain — Dependants must be introduced and
not warned out 'till they become a town-charge —
6. That the expence of maintaining town order will be great,
& a very large part of that expence will fall upon the s d Free-
holders in proportion to their interest. The s d Freeholders are
the owners of double, if not treble the land in s d proposed
382 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
township, which will be subject to taxation — and the College
will ever own stock and other ratiable property whereby the
s d Freeholders are apprehensive that they shall be obliged to do
a great, if not the greatest part towards supporting the poor,
and discharging other town expences, which they feel unable
ever to perform —
7. That it would be unprecedented to seperate any from a
particular Corporation, they had joined without their consent
either explicit or implicit
[See Hanover papers, ante. — Ed.]
[6-34] [Relative to the Collection of Taxes. ~\
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire now setting in Concord —
The petition of the Select Men of the Town of Lebanon in
the County of Grafton Humbly sheweth
That from the year 1 777 ^ * ne y ear 17S 1 — sundry sums of
money were from time to time voted by said Town for defray-
ing necessary Town charges, and for defending ourselves on
the Frontier against the Common Enemy, that tax bills were
from time to time made out agreeable to said Votes, but Col-
lected only in part, untill the year 1781 when at a Legal Meet-
ing of the Inhabitants of said Town M r Constant Storrs was
appointed to Collect the aforesaid Taxes, and they were accord-
ingly Committed to him to Collect — That as said Bills were
made on Inventories not conforming to the then Laws of this
State, though at the same time makeing the Average to each
person so taxed very nearly the same, as the law in that Case
would have done, and were made by the General Order Vote,
and direction of the people of s d Town, yet as we apprehend
it unsafe to proceed to collect said Taxes unless the said Col-
lector is duly authorized so to Do —
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Honours
would pass such act or resolve as may enable said Collector to
complete the Collection of s d Bills
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Concord 12 th of David Hough,
June 1783 in the behalf of s d Select Men
[6-35] \_Rclative to the Incorporation of Dresden, iy8j.~\
To the Speaker of the house of Representatives of the State of
New Hampshire Now Seting att Concord —
LEBANON. 383
Sir : Should thare be any moshon on thursday Nex to See if
the a Sembly will in Corperate in to a Destinct town a Sailing
tract of Land lying on Conotocut River so called being part of
Hanover and part of Lebanon by the name of Drisdon I Beg
Sir — you would in forme the Honorobel house that thare is a
potishon or praor to Sd house not to Encorperate in to a Des-
tinct town the Lands potishond for last seting of a Sembly
those that signed a Ganst incorporation owne more than one
half the ratobol land Contand in the potishon for incorperation
you Sir and the house in General are Sensobol the Coledg
Lands and Ofosors of Coledge are not taxt Sir thare is not
much if any more one hundred and seventy acors under Em-
provement taxabol lands in Sd tract potishond for inCoperation
Sir we heare thare was an order of Cort upon thare Potishon
that the matter should be heard and Reson shone if any why
it should not be in Coperated and that the order of Cort should
be publeshed in the publick papers we have No knowledg of
the orders being Complyd with Sir ; the Reson of my trough-
bling you with this letter was, I was Desired to a tend Cort
and see that the potishonors protest a ganst in Coperation was
lade be fore the honorabel house when I Sot out better than a
fortenate a Go from home Expected to a Returnd home time
anough to a ben Down by the Day and Left the Potishon with
the Signors being wethor bound find I Cant Comply with thare
requst I feare thay will have opertunity to send thare potishon
on with thare reasons why thay would wish not to be in Cop-
erated in to a Distinct town —
Sir, tho you are a Stranger to me the Stashon or place you
stand in is Sofishont Evidence to me that you are Gentelman
of Vorasoty and must feale for Every Injured SurTorer in the
State in which asembly that you are the Speaker of that Body
that we under God have no whare Els to look for help in mat-
ters of this nature —
Sir — if you think that we are not to poore to be Notest hav-
ing but small interest Liabol to pay what Ever is put upon us
without ever having a Voice in Representation Liabol to make
and mend the Rodes threw all the Coledg land with out thare
help which Rods are Verey bad and the few and poor inhabo-
tonc will be oblige to make and mend or Suffer the penalty of
Law for Not Doing it that you will att least Continue oure
trial or delay incorporating said town untill the Next Seshon,
att which time Hanover and Lebanon will be reprosented as
thay are not Know as thav Consider it —
if a Sembly under the Consideration that we Cant by Reson
of the rods being bloct and Som other matters that the house
ought to Know upon oure trial that Cant be said before the
a Sembly this Seshon if thay in thare wisdom would Give us
384 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
a heare ing att the nex Seting we should think oure Selvs in
Duty bound to pray
December 20 th 1783 —
Gideon Tiffan in behalf of
Signors a ganst in Copration of Dresdon
[6-36] [^Relative to the Incorporation of Dresden, iy8j.~\
Know all men by these Presents — That we the Subscribers
Freeholders of the town of Lebanon in the County of Grafton
and State of New Hampshire do by these presents severally
constitute & appoint Joseph Tilden of s d Lebanon our lawfull
Attorney in all causes moved or to be moved for us or against
us in our respective names to appear plead & pursue to final
Judgment and Execution — Particularly to repair to the General
Assembly of s d State to sit at Concord in s d State in December
instant, & in our names to oppose the granting the prayer of a
Petition presented to the s d Assembly at their last Session, by
Bezaleel Woodward and others, requesting the Incorporation
of a part of said Lebanon & a part of Hanover in said County
into a distinct town — In our names to appear at any Session of
the said Assembly, & there to transact any matter or matters to
prevent the s d Incorporation, that we might respectively do
were we personally present — with full power of substitution —
In witness whereof we have hereto respectively set our hands
& Seals the 19 th day of December Anno Domini 1783 —
Joseph Tilden Jr Rufus Baldwin Rufus Baldwin Ju
Charles Tilden Joel Tilden Samuel Baldwin
Stephen Tilden
[The scheme for the incorporation of Dresden did not
succeed. See Hanover papers, ante. — Ed.]
[6~37l [ William Dana for a Ferry, 1/84.']
To the Hon 10 the General Assembly of the State of New Hamp-
shire to sit at Exeter in March in the Year of our Lord Sev-
enteen hundred & eighty four —
Humbly shews William Dana of Lebanon in the County of
Grafton in s d State — That he was one of the first settlers in s d
Lebanon, that he has suffered greatly by the passing of persons
thro' his land, in going over Connecticut river, to Hartford in
the State of Vermont (so call'd) — That the privilege of a ferry
LEBANON. 385
In s d river parallel with s d Lebanon has not been granted — But
the profits of assisting to the crossing s d river against s d Leba-
non have been ingrossed by those that live not in the State of
New-Hampshire, & have no estate therein, & can easily evade
any law of s d State for the regulation of Ferries — Your Peti-
tioner therefore prays, the granting to him & his heirs the privi-
lege of a ferry, beginning at the Northwest Corner of his house
Lott in s d Lebanon — thence extending across s d river in a direct
line with the north line of s d Lott to the western bank of s d
river — thence south on s d bank one mile & an half — thence east
across s d river to the North bank of the river Mascoma — thence
North on the eastern bank of the first mentioned river to the
first mentioned bound — as in duty bound shall ever pray
William Dana
[Petition granted. — Ed.]
[6-38] [Petition for a ?tew lozvn, 1785.^
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honarable the Senate, and House of Representatives in
General Court to be convened at Concord on the Third
Wednesday of October instant —
The petition of Elisha Payne and others Inhabitants of the
Towns of Lebanon Hanover — Enfield and Canaan in said
State, humbly shew that their local situation is such, being in
the four adjoining corners or parts of said towns, and so remote
from the centre of the Respective Towns to which they belong,
and the places of their holding Town and other publick Meet-
ings that renders it very inconvenient and allmost imposable
for them to attend especially on the sabbath or Lords day.
That the Territory of land here after discribed, being about
four Miles square is so situated, and the laying of the rhodes
through the same such, that makes it convenient for them to be
a district or Town of themselves, and will Not hurt or injure
the respective towns from which they may be taken off. Your
petitioners therefore humbly pray Your Honers to take their
case into Your wise consideration and Grant them relief, by
allowing them an incorporation with Town privileges agreeably
to the following limits and boundaries, viz begining at the
Northwest corner of lot N° 50, of the village lots so called,
in the line between said Lebanon and Hanover from thence
runing south 23 west by the westerly line of said Village lots
untill it comes to Masquama River, then turning and runing
up said River and crossing the same to the southwest corner of
Lot N° 26 on the southerly side of said River from thence
southerly a strate line to the southwest corner of lot N° 9 on
27
386 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Northerly side of Enfield Rhode (so called) Thence south
72 degrees east by said Enfield Rhode to the east line of Leba-
non called the Freeman line, and to continue the same course
In said Enfield one Mile and a half thence turning oft' and Tun-
ing North 36 E. parilel with the Town line untill it comes to
said River thence up the River to the Bridge standing on said
River in Canaan from thence North 36 East so far as one Mile
and a quarter from Enfield North line thence turning off and
Riming North 64 west through part of Canaan and into said
town of Hanover to the Northeast corner of Lot No. 13 and by
the Northerly line thereof and by the Northerly line of three
lots, No 3 untill it comes to lot No. 17 thence turning oft
by said lot No 17, 18 and 19 and so continue the same cours-
to the line between Lebanon and Hanover thence by said line
to the Bounds began at which tract or ter-
ritory of land as above di scribed, Your Petitioners pray May
be by Your Honers incorporated into a district or town by
name of and the inhabitants thereof invested with all
the powers priviledges and immunitys that other towns or dis-
tricts under the like circumstances within the State have and
injoye, or in some other way grant Your petitioners relief in
the premises as Your Honers in Your wisdom shall Judge
Most convenient and Your petitioners in duty bound will ever
pray—
Dated Lebanon 12 th day of October, 1785 —
Walter Peck Ebba Peck Nathan Blodget
David Hinckley Edm d Freeman Gid n Baker
John Crowell David Stoddard Lonard Hoar
Daniel Swetland James Bellows Jonathan Bingham
Abiel Willes Ephraim Brown Sam el Kan-
Daniel Willes Elisha Payne Thomas Howard
Benjamin Wright Jeriah Swetland Clap Sumner
Daniel Alden Enoch Redington Phinehas Allen
Diarus Allen Simeon Cooke Solomon Millington
Joseph Basford
[The petitioners did not succeed in their efforts to obtain
the incorporation of a new town. — Ed.]
[6~39] [Samuel Bailey for a Ferry ', 7785.']
State of New Hampsh 1
To the Hon 1 ' 10 Senate & house of Representatives in General
Court Convend at Portsmouth on y e first wensday of June
17S5-
The Petition of Samuel Bailey of Lebanon humbly sheweth
LEBANON. 387
that your petitioner hath purchas'd afarm adjoining Conecticut
River where there has been a ferry kept for several years like-
wise your petitioner has purchased the boats that has been Im-
proved at s d Ferry wherefore your petitioner humbly prayeth
that your Hon rs may take his Case under your wise considera-
tion and grant to your Petitioner the Exclusive Right of a ferry
from the mouth of white River to y e mouth of Mascame River
being about one mile & an half to him and his Heirs and as-
signs and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray
Sam 11 Bailey
[In II. of Rep., Feb. 10, 1786, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[6-40] [Relative to the Charter of the Town, iy86.~]
State of Newhamp re
To the Honourable the Senate, & house of Representatives
Convened at Concord, the first Wednesday in June 1786 —
The Petition of the proprietors of Lebanon humbly sheweth,
that in the year 1765 — after the Charter, & Records of said
Proprietors, ware Transposed, from Mansfield, (in the then
Colony of Connecticut,) to said Lebanon, the said Charter, was
kept by Lieu* Levi Hyde, in a Chest, fill d with Clothes, into
which Chest some mice Got in, unperceived, & Doubtless ware
lockt in, as two of them ware found Dead, in said Chest, some
time after, & we suppose that in the time of their Confinement,
they happened to find the way to said Charter, which was
folded together ; and did Eat, and Deface it : Considerably : yet
not so as to Destroy it, as may appear on view thereof, and as
there was an Exact Entry made of said Charter in the Records
of said proprietors, (which we have sent by Rob 1 Colburn Our
Agent, to Satisfie your Honours of the truth of facts,) we
humbly Conceive that your Honours will find no Reasonable
Objection, against Your Honours Granting the Request of your
petitioners ; which is, that your Honours would please to Order
the Secretary of said State to make an Entry of said Charter,
in the Records of said State and as we Trust ; that Justice &
Equity, is the Grand and invariable Bases, of your Honours,
Determinations, in all matters, and things that Relate to the
State in General, as well as Single Communities ; We the more
Chearfully Crave your Honours Compliance with our Request ;
And as in Duty bound ; Shall Ever pray —
Dated in said Lebanon This 10th Day of June, 17S6 —
Jn° Wheatley Prop trs Clerk-
By order of, & in behalf of s d prop tra
388 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-41] [Relative to Town Boundaries, 1786. ~\
To the Hon ble the Senate & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire convened at Concord the first
Wednesday of June AD 1786
The Petition of Elisha Payne of Lebanon in the County of
Grafton Esq r agent for the Proprietors of the Township of
Lebanon aforesaid, & Jesse Johnson of Hampstead in the
County of Rockingham Esq r agent for the township of Enfield
in said County of Grafton — Humbly shews that the Proprietors
of Lebanon & Enfield aforesaid for the amicable settlement of
divers suits & controversies have appointed your Petitioners as
their Agents to request your Honors to empower & authorize
three persons, hereafter to be named by your Petitioners, to be
a Committee with full power & authority to settle & establish
the boundaries & lines between the Towns aforesaid — And that
if any person or persons who have purchased lands of any of
the proprietors of Enfield should fall within the limits of the
Township of Lebanon the said proprietors of Lebanon shall
relinquish all right to such lands to such purchaser or purchas-
ers upon their paving the value of said Lands estimating the
same as wild unimproved Lands — & so vice versa if any person
or persons who purchased lands of the proprietors of Lebanon
should fall within the limits of Enfield.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Concord 16 th June 17S6
Elisha Payne
Jesse Johnson
[In H. of Rep., June 16, 1786, the foregoing petitioners
were granted " leave to bring in a bill." The following is
the committee's report : — Ed.]
[6-42] [Report of Committee o?i Boundaries, 1786. ]
State of New Hamp re Grafton ss
Whareas we the Subscribers Being Oppinted a Committee
by the Honor bl General Assembly of said State to Establish the
Boundaris between the towns of Lebanon and Enfield have
meet acordingly upon said towns and after Due Examination
of the Bounds and Lins of s d towns of Lebanon and infield,
Porceeded as foloweth firstly begain at a white Pine tree marked
on the Easterly Bank of Conacutt River which is Caled the
agreement tree between s d Lebanon and Plainfield and thence
mesured easterly on the line Between s d Lebanon and Plainfield
LEBANON. 389
six milds to a Stake and Stone Comonly Known by the name
of Sumners Bound then Examined the Lins and Records
Shewen us Between s d Lebanon and Enfield and find a Bound
Standing at the Northeasterly Corner of s (1 Lebanon Comonnly
Known by the name of the Birch tree but s d tree being fell
Down a Stake and Stons Eracted in the place whare said Birch
tree stood ; and we Do Establish the first said Stake and Stons
Coled Sumnors Bound to be a Bound between s d Lebanon and
infield on the Southerly Side of s d towns, and the said Birch
tree (now Stake and Stons) to be the northerly Bounds between
s d Lebanon and infield and Do order that a Stmt Line be
Drawen between s d Sumnors Bond and said Birch tree or Stake
standing in the place of said Birch to be the Deviding Line
between said Lebanon and said infield, and have Recommended
to said Committee to settle with all Pursons who are on Land
in ether of s d towns which shall fall out of the town which he
settled in the best way which thay Can acording to ower orders
from s d Gen 11 assembly
which is Humbly Submited
October y e 23 : 1786 —
Charles Johnston"
Jeremiah Page j- Committee
Moses Chase
[6-43] [ Certificate of Nails made, iygi.~\
This certifies that Daniel Robinson of Lebanon in the Coun-
ty of Grafton and State of New Hampshire has made or caused
to be made three hundred thousand of wrought ten penny nails
between the eighth day of Feb y Anno Domini 1789 and the
twentieth day of Jan y current —
In Witness whereof the Selectmen of s d Lebanon hereunto
set their hands & Seals & the nearest justice of the peace coun-
tersigns this 28 th day of Jan y Anno Domini 1791
Jesse Cook \ Selectmen
Stephen Billings j s d Lebanon
Attest Aaron Hutchinson Jus. pacis
Feb y 1 79 1 Received an Order on the Treasurer for fifteen
pounds —
Jon a Freeman
390 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
LEE
The township was set off from Durham Jan. 16, 1766,
and incorporated with full town privileges, by the name of
the " Parish of Lee." For petition, see Vol. XI, pp. 584,
586. "Joseph Syas Gent 11 " was authorized to call the first
meeting.
A dispute arose concerning the south boundary line of
Lee and Durham, which was settled by an act approved
June 19, 18 1 8, establishing the line as follows : " A straight
line from an ancient red oak tree, being the south corner
bounds of the town of Nottingham, and the western bound-
ary between said Lee and Epping, to a large picked rock
in the south butment of Durham and Lamperell River
bridge so called, beginning at said red oak tree, and running
south eighty-three degrees east, nine hundred and fifty-five
rods to the easterly line of Epping and the westerly line of
Newmarket ; thence the same course four hundred and
eighty-seven rods to the westerly line of Durham, thence
the same course six hundred and ninety eight rods to the
aforesaid picked rock."
[R. 2-186] [Relative to Edward Dearborn, Soldier: ad-
dressed to the Ge?zeral Court, iy/8.~\
The Petition of Samuel Snell of Lee in the County of Straf-
ford, & State afores d most Humbly Sheweth, that on the 22 d
of December last, one Edward Dearborn (brother to your peti-
tioners wife) a Soldier belonging to Cap 4 John Drew's Com-
pany in Col Hale's Regiment, in the Continental Service,
who was wounded in Battle on the 7 th of October last at Sara-
toga, came to your petitioners house in distressed Circumstan-
ces, a Musket Ball had pierced thro' his arm above his elbow,
he was poor, without money or Friend to assist him unless
your petitioner had taken care of him. * * *
Samuel Snell —
[He was attended by Dr. Marshall, of Lee, whose bill,
amounting to sixteen dollars, he asked to have the state pay,
and it was granted. — Ed.]
LEE.
39 1
|_R. 2-187] \_Edward Leathers 's Order, 1784.^
Lee Dec r 10 1784
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire —
Sir Please to pay Daniel Cook or order all that is due to
My Sun Edward Leathers he having been a Soldier in the 2 d
New Hampshire Reg 1 — Value Rec d Witness my hand
his
Witness — Edward X Leathers
mark
Joseph Chesle Sarah Chesle
{6-44] [Dr. jfames Brackett recommended for a Magis-
trate, 1785 '.]
To his Excellency the President and the Hon ble the Council of
the State of New Hampshire —
The Petition of the Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabitants
<of the Town of Lee in the County of Strafford, humbly
Shews —
That many conveniences would attend the Appointment of
another Justice of Peace in said town, the Justice already
appointed living at one extreem part of said town which is
large. —
We therefore humbly pray your Excellency & honours that
Dr. James Brackett of said town may be appointed and com-
missioned a Justice of Peace for said county of Strafford and
your petitioners as in duty bound shall pray —
Lee 6 th August 1785 —
Reuben Hill
Thomas Langley
Sam 1 Sawyer
Elijah Cartlan
'George Tuttle
Samuel Mathes
william gleden
Smith Emerson
Ranah Bickford
Aaron Davis
George Dutch
Jeremiah Lad
Richard Martin
George Curtis
Miles Randel
Josiah Dow
Samuel Emerson
Aaron Hanson
George Shaw
Ebenezer Samborn
John Layn
Willi™ French
Josiah Bartlet
Enoch folsom
John Stevens
James Davis Jun r
Andrew Watson
Samuel Smith
Micaih Bickford
Anthony Pickerin
James Smith
Job Runels
Miles Runels
Richard Elliot
Joseph Sias
Paul Giles
Josiah Durgan
Jonath Clark
Samuel gleden
Joseph Randel
Timothy Langley
Joseph meder
John kinston
Clement Davis
John Davis
Elijah Fox
Joseph Follet
Levi Langley
39 2
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
James Pickering Thomas Huckins
William Waymouth Micah Emerson
amos Furneld Samuel Watson
Fracis Mathes Asa Folsom
Josiah Bodge Winthrop Frost
Jonathan Thompson
Gideon Mathes
Beniamin Bodge
David Davis
[6-45]
[Assessment List for Taxes, 1787.^
Joseph Sias Esq 1
Samuel Emerson
Thomas Huckins
W T illiam Gledden
William Waymoth
Andrew Watson
Robert Thompson
Elijah Fox
George Dutch
Timothy Moses
Samuel Chapman
Enoch Folsom
Ens n Samuel Smith
Ephraim Davis
Aaron Kinnison
William White
Ens n Josiah Dow
Simon Huckins
Josiah Durgin Jun r
John Bunker
George Curtis
Amos Fernald
John Mathes
David Rundlet
John Hide
Widow Sarah Huck-
ins
Cap 1 Reuben Hill
Samuel Watson
John Kennison
Charles Rundlet
William French
Jonathan Dow
Jonathan Runals
Widow Sarah Raw-
lins
Doct r James Brackett
Edward Woodman
Jonathan Stevens
Lieu 1 David Davis
Eliphalet York
Henry Tufts
Widow Mary Bryant
David Wiggin
Nathaniel Stevens
Jun r
John Davis Jun r
Ens" Josiah Burleigh
James York
Joseph Duda
Philbrook Barker
Lieu 1 Zaccheus
Clough
William Jenkins
Samuel Mathes
Miles Randel Esq r
Thomas Langley
John Davis
Aaron Hanson
Col Samuel Chesle
Cap* Robert Parker
James Jenkins
Christopher Faxon
Cap 1 Jonathan Lang-
ley
Lieu 1 Miles Runals
Thomas Tufts
Thomas York
James Davis
Ichabod Hilton
John Tash
Lieu* John Folsom
Nicholas Duda
John Stevens
Joseph Burleigh
Fernald Wallace
Job Randel
Ran ah Bickford
John Mitch el
Ebenezer Harvey
Ebenezer Hill
John Randel
Benjamin Elliot
Thomas Langley
Jun r
Benjamin Clark
Daniel Chesle
John Snell
Lieu 1 Aaron Davis
Lemuel Chesle
Joseph Clay
Cap* John Layn
Aaron Leathers
John Glover Jun r
Solomon Emerson
Esq r
Simon Randel Jun r
Isaiah Williams
John Leathers
Joseph Clay Jun r
Paul Leathers
Nathaniel Callwell
Thomas Noble
Micah Emerson
Moses Davis Jun r
Israel Babb
Joseph Randel
George Shaw
Samuel Thompson
John Pitman
Benjamin Jones
Maj' John Demerit
Simon Randel
Benjamin Bodge
LEE.
393
Thomas Tuttle
Moses Davis
John Page
Thomas Kinnison
Thomas Rawlins
John Hill
Jeremiah Ladd
Francis Mathes
Joseph Roberson
Joseph Tuttle
Josiah Batchelder
Benjamin Mathes
Widow Susanna
Durgin
Joseph Emerson
Tobias Cartlan
Widow Abigail
Pickering
Josiah Kinnison
Joseph Meeder
Gideon Mathes
Joseph Cartlan
Jonathan Rawlins
Lieu* Joseph Brack-
et*
Josiah Durgin
William Rawlins
James Brackett
Samuel Sawyer
Joshua Burnham
Jun r
Dennet Waymoth
Samuel Gledden
Phinehas Sanborn
Winthrop Wiggin
Lieu' Asa Folsom
Thomas Badger
Mark Spinney
John Rundlet
Jeremiah Dutch
Peletiah Thompson
Samuel French
Cap* George Tuttle
Nathaniel Stevens
Ens 11 Jonathan
Thompson
Lieu* Job Runals
Nathaniel Clough
Samuel Hill
Samuel Bickford
Ebenezer Jones
Daniel Shaw
Cap* Josiah Bartlet
Ebenezer Burnam
David Munsey
John Williams
Wille Hill
Matthias Jones
Anthony Jones
William Leathers
Solomon Emerson
Jun r
Timothy Glover
Josiah Bodge
Cap* Timothy Emer- Moses Lamos
son
Ricard Elliot
William Bly
Richard Martin
Elias Critchet
Ebenezer Randel
John M c Crillis
Lieu* Andrew Hilton
Samuel Clay
Ezra Clark
Deacon Joshua Burn-
ham
John Sias
James G Bunker
Jonathan Warner
Esq r
Samuel Durgin Elijah Cartlan
Cap* Hubartus Neal Benjamin Elliot
Jun'
James Pickering
James Davis Jun r
Samuel Burleigh
Jacob York
Hunkin Dame
William Laskey
Samuel Langley
Lieu* Paul Giles
Joseph Follet
Joseph Chesle
Cap* Smith Emerson
Edward Leathers
Widow of Joseph
Stevens
John Jones
John Williams Jun r
Edward Hill
William Callwell
Andrew Torr Esq r
Widow Mary Jones Ebenezer Thompson
Ens 11 Micajah Bick
ford
Clement Davis
Eli Furber
Samuel Williams
John Jenkins
Nathaniel Hart
Hunkin Faxson
Walter Philbrook
Daniel Smith
Thomas Hill
Dodifer Plummer
Esq 1
Widow Lois Pinkum
David Munsey Jun r
Ezekiel Wille Jun r
Nathaniel Randel
Isaac Williams
Ebenezer Chesle
Gideon Garland
Robert York
Lieu* Winthrop Frost
Timothy Langley
A true Coppy Attest-
Josiah Dow
James Brackett
Select Men
of Lee
394 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[The original list contains the amount of " Foreign Debt,
Domestic Debt, State Debt," assessed against each man. —
[Ed.]
[6-46] \_Notice of a Meeting of Alarm-men, 1787.']
State of New Hampshire —
The Gentle-Men belonging to the alarme List in the Parish
of Lee are Desired to attend at the House of Elijah Cartlan in
said Parish on Tuesday the Seventeenth Day of April Current
at Two of the Clock in after Noon, For to Chuse the Necessary
officers for to Command said Company
Nottingham April 4 th 1787
Tho 9 Bartlett : B. General
[ Officers Chosen at said Meeting. ~\
Strafford ss Lee April 17 th 1787
at a Meeting Duly Notified & heald in Lee on the said 17 th
Day of april for the Choise of officers to Command the Com-
pany of alarame List in said Town the Votes being Called for
& Brought in it appeared that George Tuttle was Chosen to
Command said Company Cap* John Layn for the Second officer
M r Josiah Dow for the third officer
attest Tho 9 Bartlett B. G
[6-47] \_Job Runnels recom?nendedfor a Magistrate, iy8g.'\
State of New Hampshire — Strafford ss —
We the Subscribers Do humbly petition that his Excelency
and the hon° Senate would Anominate and Appoint Lieu 1 Job
Runels of Lee to Be a Civil Magistrate in the Lower part of
the Parish there being No justice of the piece within five Miles
of the above Named & therefore we do humbly pray that your
honours would Grattify our desires —
Dated at Lee this 19 th December AD 17S9
Richard Elliot Jonathan Runals Sam 1 Hill
Jn° Footman Christo 1 " Faxon Ebenezer Randel
Levi Langley Amos Furnald Abraham mathes
Samuel Smith Sam 1 Burley J°hn Sias
Sam Chapman Valentine mathes Clement Davis
John Chesley Fancies Mathes John Clough
Joseph Randel Israel Bunam John Williams 3 d
LEE.
395
Samuel Follet
William Clough
Nathan Runels
Benj Elliot
Mark Hill
James Davis Se
Anthony Jones
Joseph Burley
Jonathan Runals
Juner
Reuben Hill
Nathanel Stevens
David Davis
John Leathers
Miles Runels
Joseph Follet
Jonathan Randel
John Randel
Aaron Bickford
George Tuttle Juner
James Harvey
Thomas Langly
Daniel Watson
Pelatiah thompson
Josiah Burleigh
George Tuttle Sen
James Davis Ju r
David Munsey Juner
Hunking Faxson
Jonathan Thompson
Thomas Langley
Mosses Firen
Nathaniel Stevens
Josiah Bodge
Josiah Durgin
Thomas Noble
Nathaniel Randel
Jacob York
Jonathan Stevens
John Drew
David Bunker
[6-48] \_Paul Giles recommended, 1789. ~\
State of New Hampshire —
To his Excellency the President and the Hon bl the privy Coun-
cil of said State —
The Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Lee, finding
great inconveniences arise from the want of a Civil magistrate
near the Centre of business in said Town, would request your
Excellency & Honor that some suitable person may be Com-
missioned of the peace — and if it would not appear too assuming,
would beg leave to mention Cap* Paul Giles as a man calcu-
lated to give universal satisfaction to the Inhabitants in said
Office—
Your Excellency's & Honors attention to this request will
greatly oblige Your very humble Servants —
Lee Oct r 22 d 1789.
Jonathan Thompson
William Jenkins
Andrew Hilton
Joseph Chesley
Sam 1 Wigglesworth
Jonathan Dow
John Clough
John Jenkins
John williams Jur
Simon Huckins
William Waymoth
Simon Randel
Nathaniel Randel
John Snell
John Jones
Nathaniel Calwell
Winthrop Frost
Edward Leathers
Josiah Durgin
James Jenkins
Josiah Durgin Junr
William French
Dodavah Plumer
Josiah Huckins
David Davis
Daniel Chesle
Aaron Leathers
Edward Hill
Josiah Dow
James Davis Ju r
Thomas Randel
George Dutch
Aaron Davis
Ranah Bickford
John williams
John Stevens
Clement Davis
Ichabod Whidden
John Chesle
John Sias
396 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
LEMPSTER.
The township was granted Jan. 1, 1753, to Samuel Clark
Pain and others, by the name of Dupplin. This grant was
made four days later than the grant of Acworth, and prob-
ably for the same purpose.
No settlements were made under this grant, neither were
any attempted or expected. A re-grant of the territory was
made Oct. 5, 1761, to Benadam Gallop and others. The
conditions of this grant were not fulfilled in the matter of
settlements, and another grant was made Jan. 5, 1767, to
Dudley Woodbridge and others, in sixty-seven equal shares.
Settlements were made under this grant, by people from
Connecticut, about the year 1770; and in January, 1772,
there were eight families in town, not enough, however, to
comply with the conditions of the grant, and on the 21st day
of that month the time for completing the settlement was
extended three years. See petition, Vol. IX, p. 466.
By an act passed Dec. 27, 1791, the north-east part of the
town was set off, and, with portions of Unity, Newport,
Fishersfield (Newbury), Wendell (Sunapee), incorporated
into the town of Goshen.
The jurisdictional line between this town and Washing-
ton was settled by an act approved Nov. 27, 1812.
[6-49] [Relative to the Town's Quota of Soldiers, iy8j.~\
To the Honourable General Assembly to be holden at Concord
on tuesday the Twenty Eighth Day of this present October,
we your Humble and Dutiful petitioners the Town of Lemp-
ster beg leave to lay before your Honours a matter Respecting
an Extent now Against s d Town for Sixty pounds the One half
of which we pray may be taken of and we flatter our Selves
that when your Honours Understand the matters as they are
you will Release s (1 Town therefrom the matters of fact are
as follows that Some time in the Year 1778 we Received Orders
from his IIon r General Bellows to Join in with the Town of
Acworth and Raise one man for three Years or during the war
to serve for Both Towns and Accordingly we Agreed with one
Mathew Grear for three years and paid s (1 Grear About forty
Pounds as our half of his bounty and Cap 1 Keyes of Acworth
Agreed to go with the s d Grear to the muster master and have
him mustered and set to the Town of Lemster but Contrary to
LEMPSTER. 397
that had him set to the Town of Acworth and Returned for
them and the s d Grear in a few months After inlisted During
the war whereby the Town of Lemster were intitled to the one
half of s d Grear and in 1782 Each Town made a Return of s d
Grear to the Committee of Safety and s d Committee gave Us a
Citation for s d Acworth to Appear and give Reasons if any they
have why the Town of Lemster should not hold s d Grear but
Advises us to Agree with s d Acworth and we went and Agreed
with the Selectmen of Acworth to have one half of s d Grear
Credited to s d Lemster and the Other half to s d Acworth
Carried their Certificate for that purpose but the s d Comittee
said they could not Divide a man and so Laid the whole of s d
penalty on the Town of Lemster and now we Request no more
of your Honours Only to Divide s d Extent and The s d Lemster
to pay but One half as they that were of Acworth Requested
the Hon ble Committee of Safety to, And we your Dutiful Peti-
tion Shall Ever pray —
Allen Willey J
Jabez Beckwith > Select Men
Elijah Frink j
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 8, 1783, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[6-52] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.^
The Number of Ratable Polls in the Town of Lemster Twen-
ty one years old & upwards is fifty three to be Returned persu-
ant to the with in Order taken by us
Allen Willey ~\
Jabez Beckwith V Select Men
Elijah Frink )
[6 - 53] \_Civil Magistrate wanted, 1785.^
To the Houn le Council —
Gentlemen —
as their is a Veakency in Lancaster for a Justice of the peace
I as a Representative for that Town have taken Sum pains to In-
quiar who is the fittest person for that Office, and the people
Differ Sum in Sentiment — But Capt william Cary and mr Elijah
frink is held up to Vew — as proper persons Either of them for
that office —
398
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Leaven it to your Honours to Apint One of them as you in
your wisdom think fit —
Daniel grout
Concord febuary 17 th 1785
[6-54]
[Assessment List, iy8y.~\
To J T. Gilman Esq r Treasurer for the State of New Hamp-
shire — A copy of the proportion of the Foreign Domestic &
State Debt — for the Town of Lemster made by us the Sub-
scribers —
Lemster June 5, 1787
Allen Willey
Abraham Davis
Benjamin Bushe
Comfort Wilcox
Daniel Chappel
David Taylor
Elijah Bingham
Eleazer Cary
Eli Hull
Freegrace Booth
Harris Bingham
Isaac Tatten
James Bingham
Jabez Hurd
James Rich
John Way
Milan Hebard
Nathaniel Way
Oliver Cary
Philermon Andras
Richard Chapman
Shubael Hurd
Sam 1 Roundye
Timothy Nichols
Vine Bingham
Zachcus Spencer
Andrew French
George Atkinson
Allen Willey
Jabez Beckwith
Elijah Frink
Select
Asa Hebard
Alvin Roundye
Barnabas Phelps
Calvin Bingham
Daniel Noyes
David Willey
Elijah Frink
Eliot Cary
Elizabeth Jackson
Francis West
Hezekiah Huntley
Israel Smith
Jabez Bra i nerd
Jonathan Prentis
John Scott
John Way Ju r
Niles Beckwith
Nathan Willey
Oliver Booth Ju r
Peter Lowell
Resolved Wheeler
Sam 1 Huntly
Silas Bingham
Urijah Brainerd
William Cary
Allen Willey Ju r
Andrew Dodge
Charles Willey
Charles Miner
David Roberts
Elijah Abell
Epaphras Booth
Elijah Frink J u r
Elisha Thacher
Gam 1 Huntington
Isaac Dodge
Jabez Beckwith
Joshua Booth
James Rogers
Jonath n Taylor
Luther Martin
Nathan Scovil
Oliver Booth
Phinehas Abell
Roswell Bingham
Reubin Willey
Sam 1 Nichols
Tho 8 Eggleston
Uzel Hurd
Will™ Story
Non-resident owners. —
David Wheler
John Sabens
John Ormsby
Jacob Arnold
LEMPSTER. 399
Joseph Beckwith Joseph Wilcox Jacob Spaulding
Jabez Avery 8 Hr s James Hickey 8 Hr s John Bachelor
John Langdon J onn Ashley Nath 1 Shaws Hr s
John Avery John Perkins Shubael Brainerds
Nathan Blake Russel Miles Hr s Hr s
Tho s Scovil William Iseham Israel Jennings
Eben r Spaulding Eliph* Barkers Heirs
[The original return shows the amounts assessed against
each man. — Ed.]
[6-55] [Relative to Town Boundaries, iy88.~\
To the Hon 1 General Assembly of the State of New Hamp-
shire to be convened at Concord on Wednesday the 13 th day of
June Instant. The Petition of the proprietors of the Towns of
Lemster & Marlow Humbly sheweth — that the Eastern line of
s d Towns being in such a Situation that they cannot be Affixed
So as to give satisfaction without an Order from Your Hon rs —
therefore the prayer of Your Petitioners is that the Hon 1
Court make order that the Surveyor Gen 1 or his Dep y or a com-
mittee be Appointed to settle S d lines at the expence of S d pro-
prietors or any other way your Hon 1- Shall Judge best to An-
swer the Above purpose —
and Your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Lemster Jan r 14, 17S8.
Allen Willey
Jabez Beckwith
Elijah Frink (Proprietors
Lemuel Miller | Committees —
Sam el Royse
Sam 11 Canfield
[6-58] [Opposition to the North-east Corner Petit io?i, iygo.~\
Lemster May 17, 1790
We the subscribers inhabitants of S d Lemster are opposers to
the Petition which was presented to the General Court at their
last Session praying that part of S d Town might be taken off
and incorporated with part of Sundry other Towns mentioned
in S d Petition
Jabez Beckwith Tim Miner James Bingham
Phinehas Abell Urijah Brainerd Peter Porter
Elijah Bingham James Rogers Jun r Nath 1 Rogers
400
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sylvester Abell
Jabez Brainerd
Eli Hull
W m Isham
Shubael Hurd
Cornelius Wheeler
Jonath 11 Prentis
Freegrace Booth
John Scott
Benj n Phelps
David Taylor
Israel Smith
John Way
Charles Miner
John Sabin
W m Cary
James Rogers
Sam 1 Nichols
Harris Bingham
Comfort Wilcox
Jabez Hurd
Sam 1 Roundye
Niles Beckwith
W m Way
David Gordon
Nath 1 Way
Riclr 4 Chapman
Abner Hoyt
Jonath 11 Taylor
Benj n Way
Elias Fisher
Oliver Booth
Oliver Cary
Josiah Rogers
Nath n Scovil
Alvan Roundye
Tim Nichols
Tho 8 Egelston
Barnabas Phelps
Hezekiah Huntly
Oliver Booth Jun r
John Thacher
Daniel Bingham
Barnabas Philps Jn r
Dan 1 Noyes
Jonathan Booth
Sam 1 Ayers
David Stoddard
Stickney Chase
W m Cary Jun r
Sam 1 Roundye Jun r
Uzel Hurd ) Select
Daniel Chappel j men
[6-57] \_Remonstrance to having the North-east Corner set
off, I790-]
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honorable House of Representatives in General Court
to convene at Concord on the first Wednesday of January
next —
The Petition of the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Lemster liveing in that part of Said Town which is included
by a plan which was exhibited to the General Court at their
session in December last with a Petition signed by Daniel
Grendell & Others : which Petition Requested the Honorable
Court to incorporate the Teritory included by Said plan into a
Township — Your Petitioners beg leave to inform your Honours
that we are very unwilling to be incorporated as requested by
the Above mentioned Petitioners that the line will divide our
farms leaveing part in one Town and part in another : and if
our cituation is remote from the center as is represented in the
Above mentioned Petition: we would inform your Honors that
we had much rather live in a remote part of the Town of Lem-
ster than in a remote part of their intended new Township —
Your Petitioners are sure that to divide the Town of Lemster
will be a very material injury to our own Interests & to that of
S d Town in General — Therefore your Petitioners most Humbly
request your Honors that the Petition of the Said Daniel Gren-
LEMPSTER. 401
dell and others (so far as it respects S d Town of Lempster)
may not be granted and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever Pray
Lemster December 25. 1790 —
Vine Bingham
W m Story
David gordon
Calvin Bingham
[It seems that a petition had been presented to the legis-
lature to have a new town formed from portions of Lemp-
ster, Unity, Newport, and what is now Sunapee and New-
bury, but said petition and plan have not been found. The
matter was presented to the legislature again, as may be
seen by the following : — Ed.]
[6-56}^'] \_Petition to have the North-east Part set off, and
with other Territory i?tcorporated i?ito a Town, iygi.~\
To the Honrable Senate and House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire to be Convened at Concord on the
First Wednesday of June Next,
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitens of Lempster
being fully perswaded that the Northeast Corner of the Town
of Lempster with a part of Sundry other Towns adjoining
ought to be Incorporated into a Town for the Situation of the
Inhabitants is Such that they cannot be accomodated without
great Damage to the other parts of Said Town and in our opin-
ion it will not hurt the Town of Lempster as the Situation of
Lempster is Such but will leave it in a better Situation without
them than it will to have Said Corner Continued as it now is
and therefore your Petitioners are So fully Satisfied that it will
be for the Interest of this Town as well as for the Peace and
happiness of the Same to have them Set of as Soon as may be
as your Honours in your Wisdom Shall See fit. And it is our
opinion that the Town of Lempster will not make any more
Opposition against it, And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever Pray,
Lempster May y e 24 th 1791
John Thacher Calven Frink Allen Willey
Charles Willey benj Annass Ezra Miner
David Willey Nath 11 Way Israel Smith
Amasa Lovericlge Moses Huntley John Hogg
Hezekiah huntle Alexander Hogg Silvanus Noyes
28
402 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benjamin Bushe Resolved Wheler Elijah Frink
Peter Lowell Luther Frink Elijah Frink Jun r
Phinehas Abell Syl r Abell Elijah Abell
[6-62] [ Vote of the Tow?i relative to the foregoing, iy<pi.~\
At a legal Town meeting of the Freeholders Inhabitants of
the Town of Lemster held on Tuesday the 15 day of November
1791, in consequence of a Petition's being preferred to the Gen-
eral Court at their Session in June last Signed by William Story
& others praying for part of S d Town of Lemster to be Set of
with part of Sundry other Towns —
A Vote being taken to see whether the Town were Opposed
to haveing part of Said Town taken off as Set forth in the
Above mentioned Petition it passed in the Affirmative by a
large Majority
(A true copy)
Attest James Bingham Town C k
Nov r 21. 1 791 —
[ Vote of the Tozvn of Newport relative to sa7ne.~\
This may Certify that we have received a petition signed by
William Storv and others Praying that a part of this Town may
be incorporated with parts of several other Towns Unity Lemp-
ster Wendell Fishersfield and order of Court thereon
Newport October y e 10 th 1791 at a Legal Town meeting on
November the 7 th the above petition and order of Court being
Read and there was no objection against said Prayer being
Granted
Jesse Lane ) Selectmen
Uriah Wilcox ) of Newport
[6 - 59] \_More Opposition.']
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Lemster
hereby certify that whereas we did not Attend & give our votes
at a Town meeting held in Lemster on the 15, of Nov r Instant
to see whether the Town would Oppose a petition which was
preferred to the General Court at their Session in June last
Signed by W ,n Story & others praying that part of S d Town
might be set oft* — and as we understand that the Town Voted to
LEMPSTER. 4O3
Oppose the prayer of S d Petition's being granted we do there-
fore fully Join with the Town in S d Vote as we think it unjust
& unreasonable that the prayer of S d Petition so far as it Effects
the Town of Lemster should be granted —
Lemster Nov r 21- 1791 —
Richard Chapman Josiah Rogers Cornelous Wheeler
Elias Fisher Eli Hull Jabez Beckith
* is Jabez Brainerd Vine Porter
JNiles X Beckwith ^> . n , , x, u 1 t
^ Ben] 11 phelps Barnas phelpes Jur
Sam 11 Silsby W m Isham John Way
Benj a Way Tho a Way John Sabin
[Depositions of Peter Porter, Nathan Willey, Charles
Willey, and Allen Willey were introduced, from which it
appears that one reason why the town opposed the separa-
tion was the extra tax it would be on those who remained
to support Rev. Elias Fisher. A compromise was effected,
however, as will appear by the following document. Por-
tions of the several towns were taken, and incorporated into
a town by the name of Goshen, December 27, 1791. — Ed.]
[6-60] \_Portion proposed to be takeit from Lempster to
form a New Town.~\
The part taken from the Town of Lemster to begin at the
Northwest corner of lot N° 25, 2 d division thence to the north-
west corner of lot N° 29, of S d 2 d division thence to the North-
east corner of S d lot thence Southwesterly to the Southeast
corner of lot N° 33 of the 2 d Division thence on a Strait line to
the Northwest corner of the Town of Washington —
That the contract with the Rev d M r Elias Fisher be held
sacred & fulfill' d by those persons liveing in S d Lemster includ-
ed within the lines Above mentioned in the same manner as tho
they had remained a part of the Town of Lemster —
Agreed on by —
James Bingham for Lemster
Elijah Frink for the Petitioners
404 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
LINCOLN.
The township was granted January 31, 1764, to James
Avery and others in seventy-one equal shares. It is a
mountainous tract of land, and but few settlements have
ever been made in the town, the population numbering but
66 in 1880.
[6-S4] \_Petitio7i for re-grant of Township. ,]
Province of New-Hampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Cap 11 General, Gov-
ernor & Commander in Chief, in & over his Majesty's Prov-
ince of New-Hampshire & Vice Admiral of the same, & to
the Honorable his Majesty's Council for said Province.
The Petition of Stephen Maynard of Westbury in the Prov-
ince of the Massachusetts Bay & Associates unto your Excel-
lency & Honors humbly shews,
That your Petitioner & Associates are desirous of settling a
Tract of his Majesty's unappropriated Lands within said Prov-
ince of New Hampshire of the Contents of six Miles square
being the same Tract which was granted
to a number of Grantees by the Name of Lincoln, who hav g
fail'd to fulfill any part of the Conditions of their said Grant it
now remains forfeited & reverts to his Majesty Wherefore your
Petitioner in behalf of himself & his said Associates humbly
Prays your Excellenc}' cY. Honors would be pleased to grant the
Prayer of their Petitioner & that the said Tract of Land may be
laid out by the Surveyor General & your Petitioner be thereby
prepared immediately to settle the same under the usual condi-
tion of such Grants & your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall
ever pray
Stephen Maynard In behalf of him-
self & his Associates
LISBON
This township was first granted, August 6, 1763, to
Joseph Burt and others by the name of Concord. This
LISBON. 405
grant was made, and the town thus named, nearly two years
prior to the incorporation and naming of Concord in the
county of Merrimack. Very nearly the same territory was
again granted, January 31, 1764, to John Fansher and
others, and named Chiswick. VVhy this grant was made
does not appear. It seems to have been ignored, and the
township regranted at the end of five years from the first
grant, at which time, October 20, 1768, the grantees failing
to fulfil the conditions of the same as to settlement, it was
regranted to Leonard Whiting and others, in ninety-four
equal shares, and named Gunthwaite. The boundaries of
the latter grant varied somewhat from the former, but began
and ended at the same place in both. Settlements were
made by virtue of titles from the grantees of 1763, and some
by virtue of titles from the grantees of 1768, which natu-
rally led to a bitter controversy, as may be seen by the fol-
lowing documents. An act passed January 9, 1787, appoint-
ing Col. Charles Johnstone, of Haverhill, to call a meeting
of the proprietors and inhabitants to choose officers to assess
and collect the taxes, contained the following: "Provided
nothing in this act, shall be construed to affect the title of
any person claiming lands under either the Grant made to
Gunthwaite or Concord." The town, which was incorpo-
rated in its last grant by the name of Gunthwaite, assumed
the name of Concord, and in state papers was alluded to as
" Concord alias Gunthwaite," and later as "Concord in the
county of Grafton," until June 14, 1824, when it was
changed to Lisbon by the legislature.
By an act approved June 23, 1859, all that part of Lan-
daff lying north-west of Ammonoosuc river was annexed to
this town.
[6-85] \_Represe?ttatives chosen to attend the Convention at
Lebanon, I777>~\
At a meating of the Inhabitants of Gunthwaite Held att the
House of Cap* John Young
Jan* 30 th 1777
I st Voted M r John Young J r Chairman of S d meeting
2 ly Cap* Luther Richardson Clerk
3 d Voted that we send a Committee in Conjunction
With the United Committee 83 of the County of
Grafton to treat with the assemblies Committee att
406 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Lebenon on the 13 th of Feb y Next on the adjournm*
Of the Counties Committee To bee held at that time
And place
4 th Chose Cap 1 John Young & M r John Young jr
To Represent us at wS d Committees Meeting
5 th Voted that a Coppy of our proceedings bee
Transmited to the assemblies Committee as
Soon as may Bee
John Young Chairman
To The Assemblies Committee In Behalf of the Town of
Gunthwaite
John Young Committee
Luther Richardson Clarck
[6-S7] \_State?7zent of Condition of the Town and Service in
the War, iy86.~\
State of New-Hampshire Grafton ss Jan y 12 th 1786
To the Hon 1 General Court of said State to be Convend at
Portsmouth on the first Wednsday of February Next by Ad-
journment —
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Concord in
said County Humbly sheweth — That at the commencement of
the late war with Great Britain there were very few setlers in
said Town as by Return herewith Exhibited may appear — all
which had then very latly moov'd there from various parts of
the Differant States — and it is well known that men of fortune
seldom turn out into uncultivated parts of the Country — there-
fore conceive it unnessary to make mention that we were poor
as well as few in number at that time Notwithstanding when
the noise of war was heard in this part of the State almost
Every man in this Town turn'd out in Defence of the Cuntry,
and march'd to Canada under the Command of Gen 1 Mont
Gomery for the term of six months, — that a number of them
Inlisted in the service for the year 1776 — at the close of which
several persons Inlisted for three Years and During the war —
some of whom Died in service and left their families in very
poor Circomstanccs —
That we never suppos'd any of those persons which in fact
went from this Town could be turn'd over for any other Town
untill we had Credit for our proportion therefore rested very
easy knowing that we had more than could possably fall to our
Quota of soldiers in service —
That we living in the Exterior part of the State Expos d to
LISBON. 407
the Ravage of the savage Enemy who were dailey scouting
among us, having the promise of Bounties for prisoners scalps
& c were many times cal'd out on alarms leaving women and
Children to hide in the woods to suffer the fear of being slain
by the Enemy
That we built a fort in said Town (which cost at least one
Hundred pounds to shelter ourselves in) at our own Expence —
That had it not been for poverty (which in many Instances
is mens only protection) we should have left the Town and
Tery probably the State long before the close of the war —
That Notwithstanding the distresses and Difficulties we have
Gone through in time of war as aforesaid ; we are inform'd
that there is now an Extent out Ready to be serv'd on the
Selectmen (if to be found) in said town to the amount of two
Hundred and sixteen pounds and twelve shillings for want of
our proportion of soldiers in said war — and that there are very
large charges against us for arrears of Taxes —
all of which we humbly conceive is very unjust Therefore
most humbly pray that your Honours would take our singular
and distressed case under Your wise and serious Consideration
and Grant us such Redress and Relief respecting the premises
as to your Honours may appear just and your petitioners will
Ever pray & c
At a Meating of the Inhabitants of this town — Voted that
Major Samuel Young be Requested to proceed to Portsmouth
in Concert with our Representative at the Session of the Gen-
eral Court on the first Wednesday of February Next — and lay
the foregoing Petition before said Court — and doubt not but
every attention will be paid thereto that the nature of the case
Demands —
Joseph Dexter Caleb Dexter Lemuel Dexter
Will" 1 Belknap Josiah Whitcomb John Whitcomb
Benj a Whitcomb John Johnson Sam 11 Jameson
Paul Robbins Edward Mardin John Hasseltine
Philip Vorback Samuel martain Joseph Haynes
Timothy Bayley Jesse young Josiah Bishop
Robert Kay David Young:
[6-88] [Statement of Tow7i Affairs, 1787. ~\
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss —
Concord June 12 th 1787—
To the Honorable General court of said state now setting at
Concord in the county of Rockingham & state aforesaid —
Humbly sheweth —
408 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
That the proprietors & Inhabitants of said Concord setled
before the late war & kept up thier settlement during the same
at great risque, trouble & expence on alarms scouts & building
forts & garrisons & in supplies &c —
That the Inhabitants, by reason of persons living among us.
unfriendly to the revolution, & by means of the Vermont
faction — were not organized with town officers till within a few
years nor represented in the gen ] Court, in consiquence of
which they laboured under very heavy arrears of Taxes —
that the Inhabitants within two years last past have been at
great expence, after gitting leagally organized with Town Offi-
cers, in collecting this arearage for about two years back — stat-
ing their extra Accounts of expenditures during the war & in
supporting their agents at the gen 1 Court about one hundred
Days, to effect a redress of greivences they labored under — so
that the gen 1 Court in consideration of their expenditures, & in
full of their accounts were induced on the 2 d of March 17S6 to
pass a resolve abating about one half of their arrearages — &
enabling the select men of said Concord to assess the remainder
which was done & committed to the constable to collect ac-
cordingly, who having collected a considerable part thereof &.
got through the necessary rules established by law in order for
compleatting the same, they found themselves surprisingly de-
feased by an obscure Intricate unintilligible, & as we conceive
an unconstitutional act passed at the instigation of one Leonard-
Whiting, calling himself agent of the proprietors of Gunthwaite
— & by the more subtle insinuations of his advocate in framing
said act in a very different maner from what was necessary to
releive from the grievence stated in their pitition Or the prayer
of the same thereby involving your petitioners in matters &
consequences affecting the peace & quiet of society & the titles
to the land they live upon, & to plunge them unnessarily into
numerous long tedious & oppressive law r suits which we believe
was not the Intention of the Legislature, but incompassed by
the intrigues of said Whiting, and his Advocate notwithstand-
ing it is expresly declared in the last clause of said act that
nothing therein contained shall any way effect the title of the
different Claimants to said Township — But to what purpose is-
it to declare in an act that it shall not effect title to lands when
the oppuration thereof will immediately turn the possessors out
of their Habitations into the uncultivated woods — and your
petetioners are still more surprized when they experience the
purposes, said act is used to effect, — owing to the Intricacy or
unintelligableness thereof, as no inhabitant upon the primises-
was allowed to vote at said meeting unless he wood acknowl-
edge himself a holder of land under the regrant, when at the-
same time one person 6l a Non Resident was allowed to cany
LISBON. 4O9
twenty six votes without shewing title under either Concord or
Gunthwaite, or that there ever was a grant by the name of
Gunthwaite or that the persons he said he acted for were gran-
tees, if there had been such a grant & the Inhabitants possess-
ing large farms were denied the privilage of carrying one vote
because they wood not acknowledge thier title to be under
gunthwaite grant, which they did not know ever existed nor
was it shewn in said meeting — your petitioners humble con-
ceive that the Intintion of the legislature in said act was that
every Inhabitant upon the premises shood have equal right
to vote in said meeting with any Other Individual that might
appear there let his intent or agency be more or less, as no
order was made in said act to vote according to Intirest —
Your petitioners further beg leave to Observe to your hon-
ours that the meeting was called on the 23 d of May last, and
without any Clerk being chosen to record their doings, as ex-
presly pointed out in & by said act, the meeting was declared
by the moderator to be adjourn d when a great Majority was
against the adjournment to the Eleventh of June then next at
one of the clock afternoon ; & although we supposed the ad-
journment wood be Illegal the Inhabitants attended at time &
place & there waited untill after five Oclock then withdrew to
their respective homes, at about six Oclock, the Moderator &
three persons not residents in this Town appeared and said
they had a right to negative all the Inhabitants of the Town if
they were present and at about seven Oclock s d Meeting was
opened & the Moderator proceeded and a number of the Inhabi-
tants not present for reasons aforesaid all of which we humbly
conceive to be directly contrary to the laws of this state,
wherefore your petitioners pray that your honours wood repeal
said act and declare the doings thereon to be nul & void or
make the same Intiligable in such a way & manner as your
petitioners may enjoy their natural rights & town privileges
as the law and Constitution in such cases made & provided
directs —
and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Isaac Moore a nonresident Pro r of Five Rights
John Bay ley do
Jacob Bay ley by Power from Carter Ward Apthorp owning
twenty five rights under Concord —
Nath Chamberlain Nonresident Propri tr for 6 Rights —
Eliphalet Northey Jotham Shearman John Haseltine
Joseph Haynes Jr John Whetcomb Reuben Chaffin
Joseph Haynes James Shearman James Smith
Philip Vorbach Edward mardin Robert Kay
David young Joseph Dexter Benj a Whetcomb
410 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sam 1 Young Asa young Samuel Jameson •
Josiah Whetcomb Ebene r Richardson Caleb Dexter
Ozias Caswell J°hn Young Lemuel Dexter
Reuben Shearman John Vorbach David Northey
John Jewett Nathaniel Jevvett Sam 11 Hoyt
Joseph Jewett david jewett
I Benjamin Sawyer of lawful age, & Disinterested person
testify & say that I was at the House of Major Samuel young
in Concord alias Gunthwaite on the eleventh day of June Cur-
rent at work & when I came in to Dinner a number of the In-
habitants of said Town were assembled at said youngs, and I
understood that it was on account of an adjourned Meeting of
the Proprietors & Inhabitants of said Town to be holden at one
Oclock on said day, and about six or Seven Oclock on the
same Day I was present & many objections was made by the
Inhabitants to the Meeting going on, & the following are some
of the objections, namely first because there was, nor could be,
no legal Record of the adjournment as no Clerk was chosen at
the first meeting — 2 d because a great number of the Inhabitants
had withdrew to their homes at about half after five oclock the
Moderator not then being present & c and one Captain Leonard
Whiting urged that the Meeting should go on — saying if all the
Inhabitants were present he alone had a right to negative them,
the Moderator accordingly proceeded, & no one was allowed to
vote unless he could be made sattisfied he owned an Interest in
Gunthwaite under the Proprietors thereof, & in that case to vote
in proportion to his or their Interest, which proceedings was
protested against by a number of the Inhabitants —
Benj a Sawyer
Grafton ss Haverhill June 15 th 17S7 —
Personally appeared Benjamin Sawyer signer of the foregoing
Deposition & after due caution made solemn oath to the truth
of the same, Coram
Jer h Eames Just. Peace
[6-S9] \_yohn Young relative to Toivn Affairs, iy8g.~\
State of New Hampshire June 22 d 17S9 —
To the Honorable General Court of said State now seting at
Concord —
Humbly sheweth the Proprietors and Inhabitants of Concord
in the County of Grafton — That in consideration that the said
Proprietors, who are Setlers, & the other Inhabitants had dur-
ing the late war made many Exertions in defending themselves
LISBON. 411
against the common Enemy, the General Court of said State
were Induced, on the 2 d day of March 1786 to pass a Resolve
abating about one half of their Taxes, and enabling the Select-
men to Collect the remainder from the Proprietors, — that said
Selectmen took the necessary steps for Collecting the same, —
That afterward, namely on the 6 th day of Jan y 1787 the General
Court passed an act at the request of Leonard Whiting Esq r
nullifying the proceedings of said Selectmen upon said Resolve,
and making the said Inhabitants liable to pay the same again,
if the proceedings thereon shall be considered to be according
to the Spirit & meaning of said Act, — Your Petitioners beg
leave to make known to your Honors that a Meeting by virtue
of said Act was cal'd on the 23 d day of May last & by the
Moderator declar'd to be adjourn'd to the eleventh day of June
then next, without any Clerk being chosen as expressly pointed
out in & by said Act — That notwithstanding we conciev'd no
legal Meeting could be holden by virtue of such Decleration,
the Inhabitants attended at one Oclock on the said eleventh day
of June which was the Hour that the Moderator declar'd said
Meeting to stand adjourned to and tarried there until half after
five Oclock, then a considerable number of said Inhabitants
withdrew to their respective homes, at six Oclock the Modera-
tor appear'd, & three persons with him, who are not residents
in said Town, at Seven Oclock the Meeting was opened much
against the will of your Petitioners, & the Moderator suffered
said Nonresidents to vote by Rights as in Propriety Meetings,
which we Concieve was not agreeable to the Spirit and mean-
ing of said act, by means of which a Clerk was chosen liveing
out of said Town, a Major part of the assessors live out of
Town, & the Collector in Holies in the County of Hillsbor-
ough, — and if the proceedings of said Meeting is consider'd to
be legal our Incorporation which has ben had according to Law
is totally set aside, — Your Petitioners would further beg leave
to add, that at the time of passing said act it was not pretended
that any thing therein Contain'd should prevent any legal voters
in town meetings from having equal right to vote for the choice
of their officers, & if there was to be a negative by any one
person against all the Inhabitants why were they Notify 'd of
said Meeting ; was it to see a man living an Hundred and forty
miles from said Town cany on a Meeting in just such way as
he might have done in his own Chimney Corner, for was not
the Laws as Good for enabling the Proprietors of one Town to
call Propriety Meetings as another, if so then what need was
there for passing a Special Law for them, could they not have
cal'd a Proprietors Meeting without said Act, to raise money
could they not have applyed it for what purposes they pleas'd, &
was there any danger of the Lands being sold for payment of
412 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Taxes if they were paid without such sale. — but perhaps it
may be said there is no Danger of said Act being used to affect
any bad purposes, but how can your Honors Determine
whither it will or not, as there is a Dispute concerning the
property ; then ought there to be any act of the Gen 1 Court
against either of the Grants we do not mean to Impute any
thing to Your Honors in passing said act, but only pray you
to consider whether it is such an one as our Constitution will
warrent, — & although the greatest part of the Rights under the
Regrant, are own'd by persons who have left the States and
join'd the Enemy thereof they expect to make use of said act
to Eject the Setlers under the Original Charter, or in some way
git an advantage against them, notwithstanding we have many
of us ben Residents through the late war, & although not one of
the Regrantees were in Town during the same, —
Therefore your Petitioners pray your Honors to take thier
case under your wise consideration & Repeal said Act & de-
clare the doings thereon to be nul & void, or otherwise order
& Determine as may appear just & your Petitioners will ever
pray,—
in behalf of the Petitioners —
John Young agent
[6-90] \_yohn Young wants a Pate?it for Building Chim-
neys, iygi.~\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honorable General Court of said State holden at Ports-
mouth on the thirtieth day of November 1 79 1 —
Humbly sheweth John Young of a place caled Concord in
the County of Grafton in the State aforesaid — that Your Peti-
tioner has invented and found out a method & Art of building
Chimnies, & of altering those already built, which will render
Chimnys built & altered according to his plan, intirely certain
of drawing Smoke — which art is new and has never been prac-
tised in this State, nor to the knowledge of your Petitioner, in
any part of the world — that the publication of said art would
be of great utility to the public not only as it respects the moral
certainty of Chimnies drawing Smoke when built & altered
according to said plan — but also as it respects the vast saving
of that very costly article, of fire-wood, which may be made
by having Chimnies built upon said plan — because that when
Rooms are tight & well finished, the Chimnies will draw smoke
as well, or better than in Houses & Rooms open & cold — where-
fore Your Petitioner pray Your Honors to take the premises
LISBON. 413
into consideration, & Grant him his heirs & assigns the Sole &
exclusive previledge of building and altering Chimneys accord-
ing to his plan within this State forever or for such term of time
as Your Honors please, or take such order respecting the same
as shall appear most proper & Your Petitioner will ever pray
Portsmouth Nov r 30 th 1791 —
John Young
The Committee on the within Petition report that the prayer
be so far granted that an exclusive right be given to the Peti-
tioner for fourteen years & that he have leave to bring in a Bill
according —
W. PAGE for the Committee
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 2, 1791, the foregoing report was
accepted, and on Dec. 12, an act was passed granting John
Young the exclusive right of building chimneys in the way
described as his invention. — Ed.]
[6-86] [ Capt. Samuel Young's Petition, 1797.']
To the Hon ble Senate and House of Representatives convened
at Concord & now setting —
The Petition of Sam 1 Young of Concord in the County of
Grafton humbly shews that on or about June 1775 your Peti-
tioner for and at the request of the Inhabitants of Concord and
other adjacent Towns, made application to the then new hamp-
shire Congress for ammonition to defend themselves from the
ravages of the enemy that he received a cask of Powder and
gave his receipt or note therefor to be paid if it was not wanted
for publick use, lead & flints your Petitioner purchased &
transported them to said Concord with the Powder and depos-
ited said powder lead & flints in the Custody of Cap* Richard-
son who was to deliver the same to the Soldiers of his Com-
pany if it appeared necessary. —
that said ammonition was made use of in alarms — that in the
year 1776 soon after the defeat of General Montgomery your
Petitioner marched to Canada, that fire arms for part of his
Company could not be obtained that on my arrival at S* Johns
I made application to the Commanding officer of that Garrison
for Guns — he Informed your Petitioner there was no spare arms
in that garrison, but gave directions to purchase Guns of the
Soldiers who had them & were discharg d & on their march
home your petitioner purch d twenty six of s d Guns for the use
of his Company and gave from eight to twelve dollars apiece
4^4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
for them — that when your petitioners Comp'y was discharged
he agreed with a wagoner to transport said guns from Mount
Independence to Charlestown N° 4 had made a chest & put
them therein on which Gen 1 Gates ordered that they should be
deposited in the stores or Magazines for the use of the Army
and that your petitioner should receive pay therefor from the
state of New Hampshire, your petitioners situation was such
that he was obliged to purchase said Guns as he had received
marching orders from the commanding officer at S 4 Johns &
was obliged to deposit them in the public stores & has not yet
been able to git any settlement or pa) r therefor. * * *
Concord 12 th June 1 797
Sam 1 Young
[An arrangement was made by the legislature, June 15,
1797.— Ed.]
LITCHFIELD.
The territory embraced in this town was a portion of the
old Dunstable grant, made by the government of Massachu-
setts Bay, Oct. 16, 1673, O. S. (Oct. 27, 1673, N. S.). Sev-
eral "farms" had been granted in this vicinity prior to this;
one, of territory now in Litchfield, was granted to William
Brenton, who was afterward governor of New Jersey, and
the locality was known as " Brenton's Farm." At the time
of the Dunstable grant, the Naticook Indians occupied the
locality now known as Thornton's Ferry, and relinquished
their claim to the Dunstable grantees for a small sum of
money.
In 1732 all of the Dunstable grant lying east of Merri-
mack river was incorporated by the government of Massa-
chusetts into a town by the name of Nottingham, which in
1734 was divided, and the north part incorporated by the
name of Litchfield. The settlement of the province line
in 1741 decided the territory to be in New Hampshire; and^
in answer to a petition from the inhabitants, the town of
Litchfield was incorporated by the governor and council of
that province, June 5, 1749, — the town of Nottingham be-
ing thereafter designated as Nottingham West until its
name was changed to Hudson in 1830.
LITCHFIELD. 415
Settlements were made in the part of Dunstable now in
this town about the year 1720, by families from Billerica
and Chelmsford.
Hon. Wyseman Claggett, who resided in town during the
latter portion of his life, was attorney-general of the prov-
ince from 1765 to 1769; of the state from 1776 to 1778,
and again in 1781 ; a member of the council in 1776 and
in 1781. He died Dec. 4, 1784, at the age of 63.
[6-68] [ Warrant for Town- Meeting, 1743.^
Province of New Hampshire —
To William Reed Constable for the District of Litchfield on
the East side of the River Greeting
You are hereby Required in His Majesties Name to warn all
the freeholders and other Inhabitants of the District of Litch-
field on the East Side the River to meet and conven at the
Meeting house in Litchfield upon Munday the thirty first Day
of oct r Instant at two of the clock in the after Noon then and
ther when Meet —
To See if the District will Chouse one man or more to go to
Portsmouth to the General Court to make answ r to a Petition
Nath 11 Hills James Hills John Robinson and others have Lodged
theh'e and to Impower the s d man or men that may be chosen
with full power to act in Behalf of the District in aney affier as
he or they so chosen Shall think convenent —
and See that You make Due Return of this warrant and your
doings thereon to our Selves before or upon the day and time
before mentioned as You will Answer Your Default at Your
Perrell—
Given Under our hands and Seal Dat* at Litchfield the 24 th Day
of oct r anno Dom. 1743 and in the Seventeenth Year of his
Majesties Reign —
A True Copy Examined by me —
John Bradshaw Town Clerk
Thomas Karr} ,
John Usher } Selectmen
By virtue of this warrant I have warned all the freeholders
and other Inhabitants of the District Called Litchfield on the
East Side of Merrimack River
William Reed Constable
A True copy Exam d by me John Bradshaw Town Clerk
4l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[ Vote at said Meeting J\
At a Town Meeting Regualery assembled at Litchfield on
oct r y c 31* 1743 —
Voted that John Bradshaw be moderator for s d meeting —
Voted that Jo s Blanchard Esq 1- and Dec 11 John Cummings
and m r James Nahor be a Comitte to make answer to a Peti-
tion that Nath 11 Hills James Hills and John Robinson and
others have made to y e Greate & Gerneral Court of y e province
of New Hampshire to answer to s d Petitioners
A True copy Examined by me —
John Bradshaw Town Clerk
[The petition of Nathaniel Hills and others, referred to
in the foregoing, was for the purpose of obtaining a charter
for a town to comprise the north part of Nottingham and
the south part of Litchfield, which did not succeed. See
Vol. IX, pp. 468-471.— Ed. J
[6-69] [Relative to paying" Rates in two Towns, 1/46."]
To His Excellency Benni ng Wentworth Esq r Governor &c the
Hon le his Majestys Council & Assembly in Gen 11 Court Con-
veined at Portsmouth in New Hampshire April 1746 —
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of that tract
of land formerly in the town of Dunstable lately Incorporated
into a District Called Litchfield & in that part of s d District
which Interferes with Londonderry bounds According to the
late riming per M r Walter Briant —
That y c Petitioners Setled under the Grants of y e Massachu-
setts Bay And have Continued to pay their Rates to Litchfield
by whome their poles and Estates was with Litchfields Envoice
Returned to this Hon le Court but so it is that this Last Year
notwithstanding they were Rated as Usual to Litchfield And
there pay'd their full proportion to town minister And Province
Taxes yet thay were also Rated in Londonderry and by their
Constables Destrained for the same & have paid it as per Rec
which your Petitioners Humbly Apprehend a great Hardship
and know of no Relief unless your Excellency & Hon" should
see meet to Relieve us —
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray You to Consider
the premises & direct that One of the s d Towns Return the
LITCHFIELD. 417
rates Rec d as aforesaid or Otherwise relieve us as may seem
meet & y r Peti rs as in Duty Bound shall pray &c —
Ebenezer Spauldyng
Stephen spauldyng
william butterfield
lennard commins
[6-70] \_yames Hills 's Receipts, i745-~]
Litchfield January y e 22 d 1745
Received of m r Ebenezer Spaulding the Sum of Three
Pounds old Tenor being in full of one List of Rates to me to
Collect bearing Date June y e 28 th 1745
Rece d by me —
James Hills Constable
[6-71]
Litchfield Jenewary the 29 1746
recvied of Ebenezer Spolding for town and provence reats
the Sum of three Ponds and Euight Shillings old tener I Say
recvied by me —
James Hills Constable for Litchfield
[R. 2-188] [Invoice of Lieut. Pelatiah Russell's Equip-
ments Lost in the Service, 1757.']
A Good new Beaver hatt tow new worsted Caps and one
Linnen one tow new Linnen Shirts and one Wollen Shirt three
good Jackets and one Coat and tow Pair of Leather Breetchis
three Pair of Stockings and one Pair of Shoes and one Pair of
Mogezens one Silk-hankerchief and one Cotten hankerchief
and a Gun and Snapsack and Powder horn —
Province of New Hamp r —
September 23 d 1758
Then Olive Russell of Litchfield in the Province of New
Hampshire Widow personally appeared and made solemn Oath
that the articles of Cloathing above mentioned is a just and true
ace* of what her Late Husband Lieut : Pelatiah Russell carried
along with him when he w 7 ent from home in the Province ser-
vice in the year 1757
Sworn Before Math w Patten Just : Peace
29
4i8
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[In H. of Rep., Sept. 30, 1758, " Voted That there be
allowed £100. In full for this acco 1 & In full for three
months wages allowed him as a Gratuity, being Carried a
prisoner to Canada." Council concurred — Ed.]
[R. 2-189] \.Capt. jfohn Parker's Petition, 1776.']
[John Parker stated that he commanded a company in
Col. Bedel's regiment in Canada in September, 1775, " That
upon his return home, three of his Company Viz* Aaron
Quimby, Ebenezer Collings & Daniel Murray, exhibited a
Complaint to your Honors ag sfc your Petitioner for an over-
charge in his Muster Roll &c " He asked for a hearing,
which was granted. — Ed.]
[Rev. Pap., p. 35]
'Litchfield Men at Ticonde*
'oga Alarm j
1777-1
Abstract of a Pay
Roll of a Number
of men v*
7 ho
mai
■ched
from Litchfield for
Ticonderoga on th
e Alarms
June 29 th &
July 6 th [r 777 ]
David McQuig
Ensign
£1,
12,
W ,n Patterson
Serg 1
2,
8,9
James D arrow
Private
2,
7i 2
Willian Barker
do
2,
h 2
William Read
do
2,
h 2
Oliver Emerson
do
2,
7» 2
Jacob Ken del
do
2,
h 2
Thomas Whittle
do
2,
7i z
Zechariah Holden
do
2,
7, z
James Harrod
do
2,
7, 2
John Eaton
do
2,
7' 2
Samuel Chase
Major
2,
H4
Samuel Cochran
Cap'
2,
Hi 4
Joseph Barns
Private
2,
Hi 4
James Nahur
do
2,
Hi 4
Simeon Chase
do
2,
Hi 4
James Hildreth
do
2,
H 4
Exam d T. Gilman —
LITCHFIELD. 419
[6-72] [Relative to being classed for Representative, iy8o.']
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon ble the Council and Gent n of the Hon ble House of
Representatives in Gen 1 Assembly at Portsmouth Convened
13 th October 1780
The humble Petition of the several Inhabitants of Litchfield
in the County of Hillsborough & State aforesaid, whose names
are hereunto set and subscribed.
Sheweth that upon taking up Government the said Litchfield
was joined to Nottingham West, for the purpose of chusing a
person to represent them in General Assembly, And Altho at
the time of such Junction there was a great Majority in favour
of said Nottingham as their members greatly exceeded Litch-
field, Yet were your Pet rs content at that time.
But now so it is, May it please Your Honors that by Act of
Gen 1 Assembly, many Families from Londonderry claim, have
been added lately to said Nottingham West, so that that Town
now consists of upwards of 100 families, and Litchfield of lit-
tle more than 40, By means of which inequality Your Pet rs are
always liable to be out numbered and out voted (if the Inhabi-
tants of said Nottinghman West shall see fit), and to lose all
benefit and priviledge of Election.
Your Pet rs therefore pray leave to bring in a Bill, whereby to
seperate them from said Nottingham West, and that they may
be joined in future for the purpose aforesaid to the Neighbouring
Town of Derrifield, between which & them there is a good
understanding and with whom Your Pet rs will stand more upon
a Par And that as to the place of Election a Preference may be
given to such of the two towns as shall pay most taxes to Gov-
ernment
And shall ever pray —
James Nahor Ju r ")
Jon a Parker > Selectmen
John Parker Ju r )
Wyseman Clagett Samuel Cotton Daniel kendall
Simon M c Questen Thomas Whittle Jun Abel Senter
David mc Quig Timothy Kendall Joseph Chase
Rob* Parker W m Danforth Tho s Russell
William mc Questen Gershom Harvell William Parker
Joseph Reed William Read Josiah Richardson
John Cochran Samuel Cochran Daniel Blodget
Josiah Richardson J r Benj m Blodgett Joshua Blodget
Samuel senter James Underwood Rob 1 Darrah
Jacob Whittemore John Harvell William Patterson
Peter Patterson Daniel Bixby John Parker
420 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The Committee appointed on Matters similar to those set
forth in the within Petition beg leave to report their opinion
that Litchfield & Derryfield be joined in the Precept to send a
Representative to the next General Court
Geo : Atkinson for the Com ee
[The report was accepted, and Litchfield and Derryfield
were classed for a representative. — Ed.]
[6 - 73] \_Ja?nes Underwood relative to so?ne confiscated
Estates, 1780.']
Litchfield 27 th June 1780
M r Speaker —
Sir—
The Committee have Yesterday finished the Sales of Zacheus
Cuttlers personal Estate have been to Col Bauldwin the Agent
or Trustee of said Estate and find he will Only pay or alow us
our Costs in takeing an Inventory Vendueing &c of s d Estate
when we have Don the Business through this County taking
Inventory Leaseing out &c that Estate being sold thereby pro-
cured money to Discharge our Expence in our Duty & what
money was Overplush put into the State Treasury we now
desire the Court would now take some Order that we may
make a final setlement and be properly discharged as I have
been three times to Exeter to settle that matter, with that of
Col Lutwyches as our business extended through the County
Costs & Expence are so blended together can not be well sepo-
rated Therefore pray the Agents may be Impowerd, or some
Other person, or persons, to settle these matters as Col Nichols
is Nominated to go into the Servise I take this Opportunity to
Inform the Court that the Committes Acco' is so blended to-
gether that they can not be Settled without the whole of the
Committe pray sir press the matter that the Committe of
Safetv may be Impowed in recess of the Court if nothing better
Can be done —
I am your Honors Ob* & Very Humb 1 Se*
James Underwood
[6-74] [ William Patterson relative to some co?zfiscated
Estates, I/82.']
To the Hon bl the President of the Committee of Safety for the
State of Ncwhampshirc —
S r I Beg leave to inform you that I am now Seventy three
years old and have lived on lands which formerly belonged to
LITCHFIELD. 421
\
M r Thomson now an Inhabatiant of Great Britain 33 years said
land lying in Litchfield I took a lease of said Thomson of the
farm I now live on to pay him the sum of sixty dollars yearly
to be paid in money or improvements on the farm which I have
Comply d with : untill last year when I was about putting Seed
into the Ground in the mounth of April I was informed that the
State had taken the farm into their hands and appointed an
Agent to rent out the same ; Some evil minded person as I sup-
pose offered to give one hundred dollars yearly rent : having
done a considerable part of my Spring Labour was Constrained
to give that Sum or move oft': your Hoif and every Gen tn in
the Hon bl Commitee must be sensable that the Public Tax for
the Defence of the present war is very high which with the
rent aforesaid and the hire of Labourers amounted to a very
great sum I Beg leave to Observe that I have had no notice to
move off before very leatly when I have prepared for a new
Crop I Expected to have had the farm at the rent that I Con-
tracted for last year tho very high yet I would been content but
to my great Surprise I have been informed that some person
have offered more ; the Agent Co 11 Chase being sensable that
the rent paid last year with the Tax that will be Called for this
year is as much if not more than the farm is worth
He desired me to send to your Hon r8 to know whither I may
have the farm at the same Rent that I paid last year I paying
the whole Tax for this year ; which is not Customary when a
Tennant takes a farm by the Shares he pays half of the Tax
only ; I Beg further that a person or persons may be appointed
to settle all Back arrirages and to Receipt for the same and to
put me in full possession in the name of the State I would fur-
ther Observe that I have been Oblidged for several years past
to purchess the greater part of the wood for my use there being
little wood on the farm as I am an old man and willing to give
the whole value for the farm Reather than move of at present
your Hon rs Compliance will much Oblidge your Hon rs
Most Hub 1 Ser*
William Patterson
Litchfield April 3 d 17S2
[R. 2-190] [Selectmen concei'ning Soldiers, 178 J. ~\
To the Hon ble the Councel & House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire Convened at Concord June 1783
The Humble Petition of the Select men of Litchfield in the
County of Hillsborough — Humbly shews that said Town filled
up their Quota of Soldiers in the Continental army for the first
422 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
three year service & gave each soldier Fifty dollers as a Towns
Bounty — one of said Soldiers, Viz 1 John Loring who was an
Inhabitant of said Town, was in the Massachusetts line Tho'
by a vote of the Hon ble Assembly of this state he was to be
accounted to the Town he belong'd to, his Family was sup-
ported for three years for which no allowance has ever been
made them — That said Town by Order of Court raised four
men to reinforce Gen 1 Sullivan in Canada & paid them fifty
dollars each as Bounty that in June 1779 said Town Inlisted
one William Raymond during the war & paid him four hun-
dred & fifty pounds Lawfull money That we have at all Times
done our full proportion in the war & had our Quota of men in
the field, Notwithstanding all which Col Kelley sheriff of said
County has brought an Extent or Execution against us for sixty
pounds for a soldier said to be wanting in the war. We are
Consious to ourselves that we have done our full proportion in
the war as to soldiers &c and ought not pay said Extent
Wherefore we pray your Honors would Postpone the pay-
ment of said Execution untill the matter may be fully inquired
into * * *
James Underwood ) Select
Samuel Chase J men
[The foregoing was referred to the committee of safety.
—Ed.]
[6-75] [Return of Ratable Polls, 1783. ,]
Decem cr 9 th 1783
A True Acco 1 of the number male Polls in the Town of
Litchfield upwards of Twenty one Years of Age paying for
themselves a poll rate which is fifty five
James Underwood ^ Select
John Cochran j men
Hillsborough ss Decern 1 " 9 th 17S3 then James Underwood &
John Cochran personally Appear'd and made Solemn Oath to
the truth of the above Number of polls in said Town before
John Goffe
Justice of Peace
[6-76] [Relative to their Quota of Soldiers, jy8j.~\
To the Honourable the Council and Gentlemen of the Hon-
ourable house of Representatives at Exeter Convened the
Twelfth day of February 1783 —
LITCHFIELD. 423
The Humble Petition of the Selectmen of Litchfield in the
County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire whose
Names are hereunto Subscribed
Sheweth that the Inhabitants of the said Town have had the
Honor of being distinguished, by many General assemblies, for
their Loyalty and Zeal in promoting the Public Welfare, ac-
cording to their utmost Abilities
That — the premises being granted Your Honors may easily
conceive, that your Pet rs must be under the deepest concern,
when they find themselves, and their Constituents, lie under
the Imputation of Disloyalty at this day, and the Sherif ap-
proaches with an Extent to levy a large sum of money on Your
Pet rs Estates, in their said Capacity, upon a Supposition that
one Soldier is wanting in their Quota.
That the Matter arises from the desertion, of one William
Haiment, whom the Town procured in 1779, at a very great
Expence, to serve them as a Soldier, during the War, whom
they saw duly mustered — receive his proportion of provisions
shoes, and Stockings at Exeter, and march to Worcester with
the rest of the Soldiers — What co d they do more ?
But — Your Pet rs pray leave to refer Your Hon rs to the Depo-
sitions herewith exhibited, In humble confidence, that upon
mature deliberation of the premises you will be pleased to re-
solve, that the Sherif of the County aforesaid, may be Injoined
to surcease the said Extent, and that your Hon rs will resume
the Consideration of the premises, and grant such relief therein
as to You in your great Wisdom shall seem most meet.
And Your Pet rs as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c
Rob* Darrah ) Selectmen for
Timothy Kendall j Litchfield
£6-77] [Petition for a Bridge at Cromwell's Falls, jyg4.~\
To the Honorable Legislature of the State of Newhampshire
to be convened at Amherst on the first Wednesday of June
1794—
A Petition for a Bridge at Cromwell's Falls
Whereas from experience it is found practicable and of great
publick convenience to have Bridges over Merrimack River
and as one at Cromwells falls at the lower end of the Town of
Lytchfield would greatly facilitate the passing from the westerly
part of this State to our Metropolis — Therefore we pray your
Honors to make us a grant for that purpose similar to that made
to Col M c Gregore & others at Amoskeig Falls — And your pe-
tioners as in duty bound will ever pray —
Lytchfield June 3 1794
424 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Gershom Harvell David Campbell Joel Conant
Simeon Chase Samuel Chase Hugh Nahor
William Bixby James Nahor Robert Parker
Daniel Bixby Herbert Moors Sam 11 Chase J r
Robert Chase John M c Cluer Tim Kendall
John M c Gilvery Thomas Bixbv Simeon Kendall
W ,n M c Cluer Ju r Nathaniel Whitte- Edward Clagett
William Clagett more
David Whtemore
LITTLETON.
This town embraces the southern portion of a grant
made, Nov. 17, 1764, to James Avery and others, by the
name of Chiswick, which grant also comprised the present
town of Dalton.
The grantees were bought out by Moses Little, mer-
chant, of Newburyport, Moses Little, Jr., of Newbury, both
in the province of Massachusetts, Israel Morey, of Or-
ford, N. H., and Alexander Phelps, of Hebron, Conn., who
petitioned for a re-grant of the township. The request was
favorably considered by Gov. Wentworth, and on the 1 8th
day of January, 1770, the township was re-granted by the
name of Apthorp to the foregoing, with George Apthorp r
of London, Eng., Nathaniel Carter, Benjamin Harris, and
Tristram Dalton, of said Newburyport, and Samuel Adams,
of Boston, as associates. Five hundred acres each were
reserved for Benning Wentworth, Theodore Atkinson, and
Mark Hunking Wentworth, they being grantees under the
Chiswick charter. The town bore the name of Apthorp, in
honor of George Apthorp, until Nov. 4, 1784, when by an
act of the legislature it was divided, the north part incor-
porated by the name of Dalton, in honor of Tristram
Dalton, and the south part by the name of Littleton, in
honor of Moses Little, both of whom were large owners in
the townships respectively. The first settler was Capt
Nathan Caswell, about the year 1770. The town did not
gain in population very fast, and contained but fourteen
ratable polls in 1785. Since 1S00, however, the increase
has been more rapid, and the town is now one of the most
enterprising and prosperous in the state.
LITTLETON. 425
[6-79] [Relative to Taxes, iy86.~\
State of New Hampshire —
Littleton June 3 d 17S6
To the Honourable General Court of s d State to be Conven'd
at Concord on the first Wednesday of June instant —
Humbly sheweth the Inhabitants of Littleton in the County
of Grafton & State aforesaid ; that they were at the Commence-
ment of the late war just beginning Settlement on said tract of
land which has untill very lately been known by the name of
Apthorp, that they being poor and much expos'd to our Enemy
during said war never paid any Taxes into the Treasury of said
State — That notwithstanding the Division of said Apthorp into
two Towns Precepts have lately been sent to the Selectmen of
Apthorp for sums much too Large as may appear by our re-
turn herewith exhibited — we therefore pray that our Doomages
may be taken off and the Selectmen of Littleton be enabled to
assess and collect any and all sums of money now Due, within
the lines thereof on the proprietors of said Littleton or other-
wise as may appear Just — and your Petitioners will pray & c
Nathan Caswell
For and at the Request of said Inhabitants
[An inventory of the polls and estate of the town for the
years 1775 to 1785 shows that in 1775 the number of polls
was 3 ; 1776,4; 1777-78-79,5; 1780,4; 1781-82-83,9;
1784, 12; 1785, 14. — Ed.]
[6-81] [Relative to a Tax for building Roads, 1785 ."]
State of New Hamsphire —
Concord 16 th June 1788
To the Hon ble Gen 1 court of said state now setting —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Littleton in said state
humbly sheweth, that your Petitionors for eighteen years last
past, have laid under many and grevious dificulties — your Peti-
tionors cannot ascertain the number of acres of Land in said
Littleton, neither can w T e find out the original Proprietors of
said Town, so that we can not Tax said land except we have
a special act of this Hon ble court for that purpose, your Peti-
tioners woo'd further Inform your honors that although we were
promised by said Proprietors or owners of land (as they cal'd
themselves) to have our land given us for settlement & that the
compliment of setlers according to charter shoo'd then soon be
426 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
in Town, that they woo'd make good roads through said Town
Build Mills &c — all of which is neglected by said land owners,
and although it is eighteen years since said Town began to set-
tle, there is but nine families in it at this time, and there is no
mills in said Town, nor can we git at any under fifteen miles,
the Publick Road that runs through said Town is eleven miles
in length, and almost Impossible to pass in the same, which
road your Petitioners have to travel to git to mill, to market, to
courts, and almost every kind of Business — so that your Peti-
tioners have got under such poor and dificult circumstances, that
we cannot live in said Town nor move out of the same, except
your honors will Interpose in our behalf
Therefore your Petitioners most humbly pray that your hon-
ors woo'd take our singular Situation under your wise consider-
ation, and grant that a special act of this court be made that
said Town be setled according to charter in years from this
date your Petitionors further pray your honors that a special
act of this Hon ble court be made, to assess and collect the taxes
now due or that may be due from said Town — we further pray
your honors that a committee be appointed by this Hon ble court
to lay out and make a road through said Town, and that the
cost be paid by the land owners thereof and on their neglecting
or refusing to pay said cost of laying out and making said road
your Petitioners most humbly pray your honors to give order
that so much land in said Town be sold as will pay the cost
aforesaid or otherwise as your honours shall think most expe-
dient and your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray —
Peleg Williams
In behalf of said Inhabitants
[6-S2] [Petition for Authority to tax Non- Residents, 1788. ,]
State of Newhampshire Grafton ss
Littleton December the 12 — 178S
To the Honorable Gen 1 Court of said State to be Conveaned at
Exeter on the 24 Day of Instant December —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of said Littleton humbly
Shews that it is Eighteen years since the Town began to Settle
and the setlers ware promised by the owners of the Land that
thay wood make a good Rode throw said town erect and keep
in good repair a grest mill and saw mill in said town and that
thay wood Soon have the Town settled with such a number of
Setelers as to make it Convenient for your petitioners all of
which thay have neglected and thare is now in Town but nine
families and the Country road through the same is twelve miles
LITTLETON. 427
and is verey wet hilly and Stoney, your Petitioners Cannot git
at any mill Short of twelve or fifteen mildes and if a Scarce
time of grinden must wait for the Inhabnie* of the town to
which the mill belongs to have thare grist ground first besides
we have the aforesaid road to travel through without our horses
being Shod as thare is no Blacksmith neigher than a mill your
Petitioners are not only few in number but poor and must re-
main so Except the aforesaid Difcilties Can be removed all or
allmost all of said town is owned by two Gentlemen one of
which Living in Massachusets the other in Vermount and we
know not who ware the oreginal Proprietors of said town or
how much Land thare is in the Same as it has bin granted and
regranted and Divided and Subdivided so that under every cir-
cumstances if your Petitioners Should be Cald on by your hon-
ours to do thare duty as others Towns it will be more than we
Can possably Do —
wharefore your Petitioners most humbly pray your honors to
take our Singelur Case into your wise Consideration and grant
a tax of two pence on Each acre of Land in said town for the
purpose of making and repairing a road through the same and
that a Committee be apinted by your honours to Carry the
Same into afect your Petitioners further pray your honners not
to Call on us for any State taxes untill the town Shall be so
settled that we Can possably git a Living tharein but that the
owners of Land in said town may pay all the taxes tharefrom
untill the present time and that Sume person or persons be
apinted by your honours for the purpose of assaing & Collect-
ing the Same or that we may have releafe in Sum other way or
manner which to your honours may apeare Just and rasanable
and your Petitioners are in Duty bound Shall ever pray —
Peleg williams Thomas Miner Samuel Learned
Benj mn Nurs Nathan Caswell Isaac Miner
Nathan Caswell Jr Robert Charlton
[6-83] \_Relative to taxing Noii-Residents, iygi.~\
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representitives in
General Court convened and now siting this 12 th day of
February 1791 —
The petition of the Selectmen of Littleton in said state Hum-
bly shew that an act passed the General Court January 17S9 —
directing the Selectmen of said Town for the time being to
assess and cause to be collected all publick Taxes due there
from prior to the first day of January 1789 on the lands of the
proprietors of said Town in one tax bill in way and manner as
428 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
taxes by Law are collected of Non, resident proprietors in
other Towns in this state which act your petitioners would
have most chearfully complyed with had it been in their power
but said Littleton together with a Town or part of a Town
known by the name of Dalton, was first granted by the name
of Chesuwich afterward by the name of Apthorp then divided
into Littleton and Dalton to particular Gentlemen and not in
proprietory shares as is usually the custom in other towns in
this state — your petitioners would further Sugjest that the act
for taxing Lands in said Littleton and Dalton for the purpose
of making and repairing roads therein is under the aforesaid
Imbarisments —
Your petitioners would therefore pray your Honors to pass
an act Impowering the Selectmen of said Littleton for the time
being to assess and cause to be collected all publick taxes due
from said town in one tax bill on the lands therein not confin-
ing them to any particular rights but to sell as much of said
Lands in one body as will pay said tax with Incidental charges
also in the same way and manner to sell as much land as will
compeat said road throug said Town as also that they may be
Impowered in the same way and manner to sell as much land
in Dalton as will complete the road leading through the same
and give a reasonable time to levy and collect said Taxes or
grant such other relief in the premises as to your Honors may
appear reasonable and Just and stay the extents against said
Littleton untill a final determination be had and your petitioners
as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Sam 1 Young
in behalf of the Selectmen of Littleton & Inhabitants of
Dalton
[R. 2-191] [Lieut. Peleg Williams's Pctitio?i, I79J.~]
State of Newhampshire —
To the Honb lc Gen 1 Court of s d State convened at Exeter on
the twenty fifth day of December 1793 —
Humbly sheweth Peleg Williams of a place caled Littleton
in said State — That in November 1776 he engaged and was
commissioned as a Lieu* for said State in the late war — That
on account of his ill State of health, contracted in s d service,
he, in the month of may 1778 resigned not in the smallest de-
gree doubting he had a right so to do * * *
Peleg Williams
[He stated that he had not been paid the depreciation of
his wages, and asked to have it done. — Ed.]
LONDONDERRY. 429
LONDONDERRY.
The township was granted, June 21, 1722, by Gov. Samuel
Shute to John Moor and one hundred and seventeen oth-
ers. The grantees were Scotch Presbyterians, who came
in 1 71 8 from the north part of Ireland, where their ances-
tors, emigrants from Scotland, had settled about one hun-
dred years before. By an agreement dated March 26, 1718,
Rev. William Boyd was appointed by them as agent to
obtain a grant of land from Gov. Shute, and succeeded in
obtaining a promise of a grant whenever they decided upon
a location.
On receiving this encouragement they came over, landing
in Boston Aug. 4, 1718. A portion of them went to Casco
Bay, then in the province of Massachusetts, with the inten-
tion of settling there ; but not being pleased with the coun-
try, they returned and located here in April, 17 19, O. S.
Many of them came from the city of Londonderry, Ireland,
and named this town in honor of their old home, which
some of them had helped to defend in 1689 against the
emissaries of James the Second. They were an industrious
and thrifty people, and strongly attached to their religious
opinions.
The town was divided into two parishes, by an act ap-
proved Feb. 25, 1740, in accordance with a vote of the town
passed in 1735.
Feb. 12, 1742, the southern portion of the town was in-
corporated into a parish by the name of Windham, the first
meeting of which was to be called by Robert Dinsmore,
Joseph Waugh, and Robert Thompson, on March 8th of
that year.
The north-west part of the town was taken off Sept. 3,
1 75 1, and with other territory incorporated into the town
of Derryfield.
A portion of the town was annexed to Nottingham West
(Hudson), March 6, 1778.
Sept. 26, 1777, sundry persons and their estates were sev-
ered from Londonderry and annexed to Windham. Nov. 26,
1778, Samuel Clark and his estate were also annexed to
Windham, and the line between these towns was established
by an act passed Nov. 22, 1782.
Another portion of this town was annexed to Windham,
Dec. 25, 1805.
430 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
An act was passed July 2, 1827, dividing the town nearly
in the middle, and incorporating the east half by the name
of Derry.
People from Londonderry were among the first settlers
of the towns of Bedford, Merrimack, Antrim, Acworth,
Cherry Valley, N. Y., and other places.
[6-91] ^Relative to the bur ?iing of Matthew Clark' s House,
To all Christian People to whom these Presents shall come
Greeting :
The humble Petition of Matthew Clark of Londonderry in
in Newhampshire,
Humbly Sheweth
That on Fry day the third of this Instant in the dead time of
the Night an awfull and dreadfull fire seized upon his dwelling
House and consumed it to Ashes, together with his worldly
Substance therein contained, as Household furniture, cloaths,
Provisions and Money, whereof there were four pounds, four and
Six pence of the Bills of this Province, Your Petitioner with
his wife and small Children narrowly escaping with their Lives
through the mercifull Providence of God —
May it therefore please such Christian People to whom these
presents shall come to consider of this case in the bowels of
Christian charity and afford such relief to your Petitioner as
they shall think fit, and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall
ever Pray.
We believe the Truth of the Above Petition, and have great
Compassion on the Petitioner as being of an honest and Chris-
tian Character. Done at Londonderry Dec r 23, 1725.
Ja : Macgregor
Daniel Cargill
John macmurphy Cler.
Samuel Graves 1
Robert Boyes > S 1 men
James morgan )
James Greg
James M c Keen
X r the 28—1725 —
In the house of Representatives Mathew Clark the Petitioner
Made Oath that he had actually Burnt in his house of this
Province Bills of Credit the sum of foure pounds foure Shillings
& Six pence —
James JeftVy
Cl r assm
.LONDONDERRY. 43 1
[He was allowed the foregoing amount by the assembly
out of the money in the treasury next to be burned. — Ed.}
[6-92] \_Order relative to laying out some Land, 1728. ~\
Whereas there was Given & Granted to Mess rs M c Gregor
M c Keen Cargil Greg and Goffe Several Tracts of land in y e
Town of Lond Deny over and above their Proprietors Share
for their good Service in promoting the Interest of y e People
there as appears per y e Charter of S d Town which said Tracts
of land have been laid out to the s d Grantees in y e refuse and
Most barren part of the said Town w th an aim to render y e s d
Grants of no value and to defeat the good designs of the Same
It is therefore In Coun 1 May 25 th 1728 — hereby Voted and or-
dered that the laying out of y e said lands be and are hereby
declared to be nul void and of no Effect, And that the Lot-
layers of y e s d Town within twenty days from y e Date hereof
proceed to lay out y e s d Grants upon oath to the s d Grantees in
some of y e Common lands of y e s d Town — Such as are of a
Middling quality (ie) Neither of y e best or worst but midway
between both, an that y e lotlayers Deliver returns of y e laying
out s d land to y e Grantees in Convenient time after y e busyness
is done for y e Usual and legal fees y* y e s d returns May be re-
corded by y e Town Clerk in y e Town book
R. Waldron Clr : Cou.
[6~93] [ Warrant for Town- Meeting, lyjj."]
Province of New Hamp e —
To the Selectmen of the Town of Londonderry within the
Province afores d Greeting —
Pursuant to his Maj ties writ to me directed for Convening a
Generall assembly within the said Province, you are hereby re-
quired in His Maj ties name to Cause the freeholders of the town
of Londonderry aforesaid duely quallified (giving them fifteen
days previous notice) to assemble at such time and place as
you Shall appoint within the said town then and there to Elect
and Chuse or depute one fit person quallified in the Law to
represent the said town in General assembly appointed to be
Convened and held at Portsm w th in y e Province aforesaid on
Tuesday the first day of January Next at ten of the Clock before
noon and you are alike required to Cause the person so Elected
and deputed by the maj r part of the electors present at the Elec-
tion to be timely notafied and Summoned by one of the Con-
432, EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
stables of the said town to attend his Maj tics Servis in Gen 11
assembly at the time and Place above Prefixed and so de Die in
Diem dureing their Session or Sessions and you are to make
return of this Precept with your doings thereon and the name
of the Person that Shall be Elected and Deputed as afores d
unto my Self on or before the first day of January next to be by
me transmitted into the Secretarys office at or before the time ap-
pointed for the Convening of the said Gen 11 assembly and Here
of you may not fail —
Given under my hand & Seal at Portsmouth the Eleventh day
of Decem br 1733 & in the Seventh year of His Maj ties
Reign —
Eleazer Russell Sheriff
[The meeting was held Dec. 28, 1733, and Robert Boyse
was elected. — Ed.]
[6-95] [Charge against the Legality of a Town- Meeting,
i736-~\
Londonderry April y e 13 th 1736
We the under Subscribers all freeholders of the aforesaid
London-Derry doth protest against all the actings of our March
meeting this being part of it by adjournment (for these reasons)
that the said meeting was not legall in itself, neither was it
legalee Caried on for a great many of them that was votters in
it was not Qualified according as the law directs and also that
a great many of the voters was only transient persons and paid
no rates in this town besides many other reasons —
Given under our hands the day and year above
Robert Boyes William Humphra John Moore
Husrh Willson Archibald Clendinen
A true Coppy taken out of Londonderry Records as
Attests p r John Mac murphy Town Clerk
[6-96] \_Preccftt for the Election of 'an Assemoly-man, iyj6.]
Province of Newhamps 6
George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Brittaine
France and Ireland King defender of the Faith & c
To the Sherrif of the Province of Newhampshire Greeting
We command you that i mediately on sight hereof you make
out a precept Directed to the Selectmen of Londonderry within
LONDONDERRY. 433
our said Province of Newhampshire Requiring them to Cause
the Freholders and other Inhabitants of said Town Duly Quali-
fied to Assemble at such Time and place as they shall appoint,
to Elect and Choose, or Depute one Suitable and Meet person
(Lawfully Quallified) to serve for and represent them in our
Gen 11 assembly of our said Province at Portsmouth and to cause
said person so Elected by the Major part of the Electors pres-
ent at the Election to be timely Notified (or Summoned by one
of the Constables of the said Town) to attend our Service in
our said Gen 11 assembly on the fourteenth day of March Cur-
rant, and So De Die in Diem during their Session or Sessions,
and to Return the said prascept with the Name of the Person
so Elected unto your Selfe whereof you are to Make Return to-
geather with this Writ and of your doings therein under your
hand unto the Clerk of our House of Representatives at or
before the s d fourteenth day of March Currant hereof you may
not faile at your perrill —
Witness Andrew Wiggin Esq r Speaker of our said House
of Representatives at Portsmouth March the tenth in the tenth
yeare of our Reigne Ann Dom° 1736 —
And 1 Wiggin Speaker
James JefTry Cle r of the Assembly
By order of the House of Representatives
Prov : of New Hampsr
Pursuant to the within Writt I Issued out my Precept to the
Selectmen of London Derry to Elect a person to Represent
them in a Generall assembly Now Sitting at Portsm and they
make return that they have made choice of Robert Boyes of
s d Town to Represent them
Portsm March y e 14 th 1736/7 R Wibird, Sheriff.
[6-97] \_Two Sets of Town Officers ckose?z^ 1737 -~\
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq r Governour & Com-
mand 1, In Chief In and over HisMajestys Province of New
Hamp r the Hon ble His Majestys Council, and the House of
Representatives in General Court assembled —
The Petition of Sundry the Inhabitants of the Town of
London-Derry in the Province of New Hamp r — Most humbly
shews —
That It hath been the Custom in said Town, ever since they
have acted as a Town, at their General Town meetings in
March yearly to allow all persons that payed rates in said town
30
434
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to Vote in chusing town officers until at the town meeting held
in said Town on the fifth day of March Instant when the Select
men for the last year produced a list of Persons names who the
select men said should be voters only. — That notwithstanding
a Considerable majority of the persons present proceeded ac-
cording to the usual method of said Town to Chuse a Modera-
tor, and then to chuse a Town Clerk, selectmen and other town
officers, and that the two Justices in said Town refused to
swear any of said officers so chosen, and that a minor part of
the persons then present in a by-part of the meeting-house made
choice of another set of Town officers, which last sett the Jus-
tices in said Town have since sworn, which has already occa-
sioned much disorder strife and confusion in said Town, and
will We fear tend to the utter ruin and destruction of the peace
and good orders of said Town unless something be done by the
General Court to redress our Grievances. —
Therefore Your Petitioners most humbly Pray Your Excel-
lency the Hon ble the Council and House of Representatives
In your Great wisdom to ratify & Confirm what was done at
the last meeting in said Town according to the former usage and
Customs of said Town, or to Explain that paragraph in the Act
for regulating Townships, choice of Town officers and setting
forth their power relating to the qualification of Voters in Town
meetings, and order that There be another Town meeting in
said Town to Chuse Town officers, and your Petitioners as in
Duty bound, Shall Ever Pray —
John Moor
Sam 1 Allison
Ronald Alexander
John Stewart
Rob 1 Cochran
James Boyes
Hugh Rogers
W ni Cochran
W m Candinon
Thomas Morrison
Joseph Wallis
Hugh Wilson
Abr m Holmes
John Givian
Rob 1 Wear
Sam 1 Miller
John Craig
Patrick Duglas
W m Humphrey
Alexand' Macdorn
John Reade
Sam 1 Morrison
Thomas .Steel
John Barnet
John Durham
Tho 8 M c Master
Arch d Candinon
Jesse Cristi
W m Holmes
Robert Boyes
James Dalop
John Wilson
John Cochran
Robert M c curdy
\Y m Gregg
Moses Barnet
James M c curdy
John Holmes
John M c clary
Benj a Will son
Halbert Morrison
W m M c Neal
Peter Cochran
Robert Wallace
W m Moor
James Wilson
Sam 1 Kinkerd
John Alexand'
Thorn 8 Hoag
James Patterson
John Duncan
David Vance
John M c konoihy
Sam 1 Morrison
John Stewart Jun r
W m Kelley
Thorn 8 Bogel
John Mitchel Jun r
Andrew Clandinen
W Tni M C M aster
LONDONDERRY.
435
Robert Givian
Sam 1 Mitchel
Sam 1 Morrison
Alexand r Rankin
John Morrison
Thomas Cochran
Arch d Miller
John Steel
James Morrison
Dan 1 Anderson
Thorn 8 Mellavy
James Cochran
John Smylel
Hugh Bolton
Thorn 5 Wallace
Peter Cochran
Sam 1 Morrison
Henry Comee
John Cromey
Patrick Fisher
David Morrison
John Humphry
John Ware ,
John Ramsey
Alexand r Parks
John M c Cleary
Francis Smaley
John Wallace
James Calwel Jun r
W m Cochran
Joseph Ball
James Glines
Allen Anderson
W m Murdoch
Mem I have copyed the names as well as I could read them
but am not certain that they are right
R. Waldron Sec?.
[6-98]
[Relative to a new Parish, IJ3J '.]
Provence of new hampshier
To his Excelence Jonathan Belcher Esq r Governor and Com-
ander in Chief in and Over his Majestys Provence of New
hamp e the honorabl his majestys Councel and hous of Repre-
senteties In the Generall Court asembled —
The Petition of Sundrey of the Inhabitants of the Westerly
Part of Londonderry In The Said Provence of new hampshier
Most humbly Sheweth —
that Your Petitioners with Sundry others the Inhabitants of
the Wasterly part of Sd town at the last siting of the Genr 1 Court
In new hampshier Prefared a petistion therin Praing to be Made
a parish by our Selves which Was Granted to us by the Gen-
erall Court But with this Restriction for to Countinow with the
Worship of God in the Miting hous W^hich was then Bult
amongst us which is the Most Convenient Place in the parish
to Shout the Popel of the Sd parish yet So it is that a part of
the old Parish of the freand and Relations of M r Macgrogre with
Som others and Som amongst ourSelvs Without aney Regard
to what was then Don in that afair by the General Court have
without aney Consent of us yea even against our wills obtained
ane ordenation for m r macgrogre out of our Miting hous and a
litel Time after hath left of to preach in our Miting hous and
preacheth in a privet hous above the mils from our miting hous
and in about one mile and a half from the old miting hous and
So our miting hous is Left Desolat and forsakin and thereby
hath Defated our Good Desgn in Praying to be Set of as a Par-
436
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ish And also the Gracious Design of Generall Court in Seting
us of and allso would Render us Disobdient to Goverment
Which never entred into our thoughts and would have us Joyn
w r ith them in bulding a new miting hous which they are about
to Arcct nerer the old miting hous then ther prasent Place of
worship which is at one Cornor of the parish which if Done will
tend more to the fomenting of our Presant Debats and Stireng
up Strife and Contensions amongs us and to the Destrouing of
Religon then aney thing Els Wherfor your Petisthoners most
humbly Prayeth your Excelence the honorable Counsal and hous
of Representitves in your Wisdom to order us the worship of
god in our miting hous as it Was ordred Befor and your Peti-
shoners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Londonderry March the 5 1736/7
Thomas Wallace John Blear
Joseph Boys John holens
James murray Thomas Wallace
Samuel Dickey John Barnet
Joseph bell James Petterson
Thomas Hoop Samuel Thompson
William dickey micheall M c Clinto
James Wallace William m c Clinten
John Duncan J onn Senier
Joseph Wallace Robart Wallace
David mc allester
James yErs
William m c allester
James wilson
Hugh Grahams
John Senter Juen r
William Wallace
william thompson
[In H. of Rep., April 1, 1737, the foregoing petition was
dismissed. — Ed.]
[6-100] [Relative to a Parish in the westerly fart of the
Town, 1739.']
To his Exelencey Jonathan Belcher Esq 1- Governer and Com-
ander in Chief in and over his Magiestys Provence of New-
hampshier the Honarebl his Magiestys Councel for Sd Pro-
vence and the hous of Represenitive in General asembley Con-
vened
the Pitition of Sundrey of the Inhabitence of the Westrly part
of Londondery in the Provence of new hampshier humbly Shu-
eth—
That at the General Court at Portsmouth in and for the for-
said Provence in aprel 1736 ther was a Pitition preferred to the
General Court of Said Provence that ther Might be a Parish Set
of in said town in the westerly part of Said town AGreeable to
a vote of Said Town that the General Court was pleased by a
vote to Set of for a Parish In the Westerly part of Said town
LONDONDERRY.
437
acording to the folouing Bounds Beginning of the Southerly
part of the toun at a place kown by the name of Ston Dam
thence Runing up Bover Brook to the South west part of Charels
mclorgs lot thence Runing a Straight line by the Norwest Cor-
nar of ninen Cochrans home Lote to amascige Road thence
Runing alongst the Sd Rod to a place none by the Name of the
twelve acer mido Brook thence Runing a noRth to the toun Line
then torning westerly and roning Round the toun line till Bover
Brook then Runing to the Bounds firs menshoned and that the
Miting hous Should be Wher it then Stod in the Westerly Part
of Sd toun and that to the Number of thirty five in Said west-
erly parish might Remain to the old Parish and as Maney of
Said Number as Should go from the Newe Parish to the old So
maney of the old Should go to the new parish and that Befor
the Said vote of the Generall Court was Redused to one act
the Secriterys hous was Consumed by flaims and the vote
amongst other papers was burnt Wherfor your Petitioners most
humbly pray Your Excellency the Honorabl the Councel and
hous of Representitive to Set of a Parish in the westerly part of
Sd town Agreeable to the former vot of the Genarel Court and
your Petishoners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray &c
Dated at Londondery October 12 th 1737
John M c leriee
Robart Bell
Thomas mclire
William holems
Thomas BoGel
Samul thomson
William thomson
Angus Mcalester
William mc alester
John Care
Thomas wollace
James ares
Robart Gaye
David mcalester
James thomson
michel mclinton
Joseph Boys
William wollac
John Blair
Thomas Hog
david BoGel
Joseph BoGel
John Wallace
iohn Crage
John willson
Benjamen willson
Andrue todd
Aalexander Crage
Aalexander mc : ol-
om
Abram holms
Robart Wallace
David morison
Samul morison
John morison
John holems
Ninin Cochran
Petter Cochran
Samul Tood
william hairs
Thomas Wallace
Joseph Wallace
John Barnat
Samul morison First Joseph Bell
Nethaniel willson James muray
Robart Gifen James wollace
John mclorg James Paterson
[6-101] [Proposals for Peace, JY3y.~\
To our Christian friends and Brethren of y e old Congregation in
London Derry ; proposals of peace
Breth 11
It is a lamentable Truth, Too evident To be denyd, y* the
43 8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Scandalous divisions, both in Civils and Ecleseaiticks, which
have Too long Subsisted among us, are a stain to our holy pro-
fession ; that they have a Natural tendency, to provoke God ; to
procure Judgments and to render us a hissing a reproach and a
byword to our Neighbours and that these are aggravated from
our circumstances, we being Strangers, which ought to excite
us to a stricter amity and unity among our Selves.
but then Seing it is not Complaints & lamentations only, but
proper remidys also, that are Necessary to effect an accomoda-
tion among us; we therefore out of a Sincere and Disintrested
view To peace, do Chearfuly & unanimously make y e following
proposals.
Proposal I st whereas it has been (as we are Inform'd) Sug-
gested or Insinuated, that The design of us who belong to the
New Congregation, is To draw away the Strength of y e old Par-
ish, and Consequently To build upon its Ruins; we propose
that we who are already Incorporated in the new parish, with
Those who are at present willing to joyn us, who in all are not
one half of y e town, will oblige our Selves to maintain the Gos-
pel in Our own Congregation, without demanding any help
from our Neighbours in the Other parish ; or if this will not
Satisfie, we propose that the Salary's of both Ministers be asess'd
in common, and equaly levyd from y e whole town in general.
As to the Ecclesiastick part of our divisions, we wou'd be
heartily glad that this also were Accomodated : that which ren-
ders a reconciliation in this particular more difficult, is the want
of a Synod, To whose Judgment all partys Consonant To pres-
byterian principles behoof'd to be Subjict : but Since we have
not this Superior Judicature To have Recource To, in this part
of the world : Since appeals to a foreign Church, in Our pres-
ent Scituation and Circumstances is Impracticable even in the
Opinion of Several of y e ministers of y r own party, whose dis-
ent against Such Apeals, is extant in y e minutes of the presby-
tery ; and Since there is a Schism among the Members of. pres-
bytery, So that they being partys cannot be admitted as proper
Judges, what must be y e Consequence, as Things are thus Cir-
cumstanced, but that Except Some other methode be found out,
Our uncumfortable Debates be protracted time without End :
for Remidy wherof we propose.
Proposal 2 d that a number of ministers, of y e Congregational
perswasion, Such as you and we can mutuary agree upon ; Shall
be Invited To meet on this affair ; and that haveing heard the
whole of what is To be Said Pro and Con by the Respective
partys, they Shall then draw up in writing their Result : whether
S (1 Result Shall be finaly deciseive or Not, we leave to be Con-
sidered. Note, y e S' 1 Ministers Shall be Obliged to judge the
affair agreeable to presbyterian Rules. We for see no objection
LONDONDERRY. 439
of any Seeming weight that can be made against this last pro-
posal but Such as follows ; to which by way of anticipation we
Return Some Answer.
Objection I st the persons whom you propose as Judges are of
a diffarent perswasion ; we Answer by Concession we grant
they are So, but the Difference is not So wide, but that Some
of y e greatest Divines of y e presbyterian perswasion, and even of
those who have wrote against them, particulerly the judicious
M r Rutheroord, has Adress'd them with the friendly Epithet of
D r Brethren ; for our part we firmly believe, that Notwithstand-
ing the Difference in principle, there are To be found among
them, Many men, of Learning, Goodness, Candor, Impartiality,
and Every qualification, which may Render them very fit Judges
in this affair.
Object 11 2 d this proposal if Complyed with, wou'd cast a Re-
flection on the Presbyterian Goverment, as if it were not Suffi-
cient to answer all the Ends of Goverm*, without being beholden
To another perswasion : we Answer y e objection has no weight
in it; for I st let it be Concidered that presbyterian Goverm*
Consists in a Subordination of Judicatures, The Inferior To the
Superior; Now if we had a Synod To apply too and yet this
Remidy were Necessary, it wou'd then Argue a Defect in the
Constetution ; but otherwise the Objection is of No weight.
2 dly let it be Concidered, that the judges we propose, tho of an-
other perswasion, are bound to judge by Presbyterian Rules :
the Salutary Medicin is Still the Same, though the Application
be made by Other hands.
we are far from being So premptory or wedded to Our own
proposols, as to Say that these and these only are the terms
•on which we will be at peace ; but these Are what we look on
as Resonable and Christian ; and if you think them Not Such,
we wou'd be glad to hear Some from you that are more So.
In the Conclusion we beseech you Brethren, Seriously To
'Consider that 'tis your as well as Our Duty if it be possible, as
much as lies in you, To live peacably with all men. to Seek
peace, and pursue it. to lay Down your Gift at the Alter, and
;go be Reconcil'd with your Brother : and that Ecept we Do so
Our Religion is Vain, that tho we had all faith to y e Removing
of mountains and have Not Charity, we are as A Sounding
Brass and tinkling Cymbal, and that he who Says he loves God
and hates his Brother is a lyar : let the Serious Concideration
of these Awful and weighty truths, leave Such a deep Impres-
sion on us, that we may be willing for peace, on the most Rea-
sonable terms ; and let us look on All Such as wou'd diswade
us from hearkning to Reasonable proposals of accomodation, to
be publick Nusances, the Bane of Civil Society, y e obstructers
of Brotherly love, and the Active Instruments of Satan, and as
44Q
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Such let us Avoid them with detestation, we are your friends
and Brethren in Christ.
London Deny April y c 19 th 1737
Georg Duncan
John Goffe
James Mckeen
James Adams
John Jamison
James Anderson
Daniell macDufie
James Re id
John : m c Laughlin
James Nesmith
James Clark
Rob 1 Campbell
Tho s Boies
John Richey
Alex r m c Neall
John Blair
Thomas gregg
James Willson
Thomas Clark
John Archibald
John M c keen
Charles M c Cloarg
Robert Arbuckle
Josiah Arbuckle
James Wallace
Rob 1 M c keen
Hugh montgomery
James Blair
James Taggart
James Lindsay
William Adams
John Creaig
Daniel m ac keeney
John taggert
william nutt
John Anderson
Samul andrson
Bart andrson
John Cochran
William Dickey
James Aiers
James Leslie
Samuel m c keen
James Gregg
mathou tylor
Daniel Macgregore
Hugh Morison
Nathaniel Aken
James Moor
Samuel Dickey
Samuel Graham
Hugh Graham
William Maclintock
James Adams
Path rick taggart
John Gregg
Robertt Anderson
Andrew Cochran
John Scobey
Samuell Gregg
Archbell m c cormick
Will Gregg
Robert morison
Hugh moor
Hugh mountgorey
Nathan m c farlan
william Jameson
John Bell
Robart kendey
William Aiken
James Rodgers
Hendery mitchiell
David Hunter
thomas tyson
John Woodburn
Sam 11 Ban*
matthew Reid
David Archibald
James Nesmith Sen r
Samuel Huston
[6-103] \_Retu7-?i of laying out a Highzvay, 1738. ~]
Provence of Newhampshire Londonderry May : 15 : 173S
then laid out a highway in said town begining at that Cross
highway that goeth along by Patrick Duglas and William Ad-
amss and so Riming Down the line betwixt s fl Duglas and
adams as far as his land goeth and so along betwixt s d Duglas
and James Callwell upon the line betwixt them to Chaster line
and so Riming aCross the End of s d Duglas land upon Chaster
line to Chaster Laid out highway note that said highway is to
be two Rhods Wide one Rhode off s d Dusrlas land and the other
LONDONDERRY, 44 1
oft' the s d Adams land and s d Callwells land laid out by the select
men of Londonderry
Rob* Wear ]
Hugh Willson j Select
Moses Barnett J> M
Tho s Willson | iVlen
Andrew Todd J
Recorded the 28 th of May 1738 atru Copeay per Moses Bar-
nett town Clark
We of the Inhabitence of Londondary and hath Ben Survers
of the Within Said Road Dothe asertifey that it is not good
Land for A Contra Road — Neither Cane it bee Made a good
high way
for the year 39 Will 111 Murdoc
for the year 40 Mathew wright
for the year 42 James Collwall
[6-105] [Petition from Persons formerly belonging to Dra-
cut for a Parish, 1741 . 3
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq r Governor and
Commander in Chief In and over His Majestys Province of
New Hampshire in New England, and Vice Admeral of y e
Same, To the Honerable His Majestys Council, for said
Province —
The Petition of the Subscribers being Inhabitants and Pro-
prietors of a Tract of Land formerly belonging to y e Town of
Dracutt in y e County of middlesex and Province of y e Massa-
chusitts Bay but Now of y e Province of New Hampshire afore
Said —
Most Humbly Sheweth —
That whereas your Petitioners Inhabitants of y e Place afore
mentioned being Latly Sepperated from y e Province of y e
Massachusitts Bay, by the Settlement of y e Boundary Line, are
Labouring under many Great and Greavous difficulties, and
disadvantiges at present, and divers of us having suffered many
wronges and Injuries by y e Inhabitants of Dracutt who still pre-
tend to have Jurisdiction over us, and are Dayly Expecting
many other Difficulties to arise, And being distetute of a House
Convenient for y e Publick worship of God, and being divested
of y e previledge of acting as a Town, and as we being Entirely
willing and Content to yeld all due obedience and submission
to y e Government of New Hampshire, so we desire in all hum-
ble wise to be protected thereby —
44 2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Therefore Your Petitioners Most Humbly pray that your
Excellency and Honers will take our Case into your wise Con-
sideration so far as to Erect us into a Destinct and Sepperate
Township vested with all such powers and previledges as other
Towns in this Province enjoy encluding all those Lands on y e
North of y e province Boundary Line which was formerly
granted by y e province of y e Massachusitts Bay to y e Town of
Dracutt according to y e Boundarys thereof, (which your peti-
tioners humbly Conceive may prove an Effectuall Remedy for
many of our Greavences)
as Your Petitioners by Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
zechariah coburn thomas Sherla
Josiah Gage Isaac littelhall
Moses Gage edw r ard wyman
Daniel Gage Ebenezer Richardson
Amos Gage Henry Richardson
Simon Beard Joseph Wood
Joseph Wyman J omi forgison
Thomas Gilmor Alexander Forguson
[The foregoing was accompanied by " An abstract taken
from a Plat of Dracutt Township as it was laid out by
Cap 11 Jon a Danforth y e 26 : 3 d 1702"
Said plan is No. 106, in manuscript volume. — Ed.]
[Londonderry Bounds, .]
The Bounds of Londonderry being ten miles Square or so
much as amounts to ten miles Square and no more begining on
the north east angle at a Beech tree marked which is the south-
east angle of Chester and running from thence due south on
Kingston line four miles and an half and from thence on a west
line one mile and three quarters & from thence south six Miles
and a half & from thence west northwest, nine miles and an
half and from thence north eleven miles and an half & from
thence north north east three miles from thence South South
west to the south west angle of Chester and from thence on an
east south east line bounding on Chester ten miles unto the
Beech tree first Mentioned —
[6-107 is a plan of the town, endorsed " Greggs Plat of
Land."— Ed.]
LONDONDERRY. 443
[6-109] [Relative to a Road, iy4J.~]
Province of New Hampshire —
Londonderry May y e 24 th 1743.
These may Certifie that I the Subscriber, am Hartly Satis-
fied and willing that the town of Londonderry, shall enjoy and
Improve the Road laid out by the Select men of that town
about five years aggo leading from the Cross Road that goes
aCross my land, and from thence riming upon the land of Pat-
rick Douglas Will m Adams & my Self, untill it meet with the
Road that the town of Chester have laid out to the line between
Chester and Londonderry ; Provided they will pay me for what
land the Road takes according to the prise I paid for it when
I Bought it—
As Witness my hand the day & year above
James Caldwell
[6-1 10] [Certificate of Service of a Notice, 1742. ~]
Londonderry ffeb ry 6 th 1 741/2
These may Certifie Whome it may Concern that William
Gregg of said town hath served us the Subscribers with the
Copy of Pettition of Severall people in this town that hath
suplicated the Honourable Court at Portsmouth to be sett off
as a parish by themselves and we have Notified the people
Accordingly and their is none that makes any Obiection that
they should not be sett off Except three or foure that belongs
to the New parish that hath land Lying in the Bounds of your
petitioners —
Wittness our hands
John Barnett ^
Thomas Cochran |
David vance \- Selectmen
Robert JVPCurdy
Rob" Cochran
[6 in] [Report of a Committee on Roads, iy4J.~\
Province Newhamp 1-
Persuant to a Vote of the General Court Bareing Date May
26 th 1743, to us the Subscribers a Committee Appointed by the
Gen 11 Court to goe up to Chester, and London Derry to view
a highway fformerly laid out by Chester and London Derry
and Recorded in Each Town, and also aNother way petitioned
444 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
for by Chester and to Make report of your Doeings therein to
the General Court att their Next sessions — We haveing been
up, and Vievv'd Both Ways and Doe find that the Way "{Form-
erly laid out from Derry to Chester is the Most Conveniant
way for the Accomidation of both the towns aforesaid and for
Other Travelers, in General —
Sepf 22 fl Day, 1743
John Downing, Jur ~)
Geo Walton > Committee
Richerd Jennes )
[In H. of Rep., Sept. 22, 1743, the report was accepted,
and the road established as recommended by the committee.
—Ed.]
Londondery May the 11 1743
I the Subcraber doth Sartifey that I have receved No Satis-
faction for my Land for highway to Chester Nor is the said
Rode not opned nor Repared
As wittenes my hand —
Parick Douglass
[6-1 12] \_Petitio?z for a Reduction of the Nui7iber of
licensed Taverns in Town, iyj8.~\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain, Gen-
eral, Governor, & Commander, in Chief, in & Over his Maj-
esty's, Province of New-Hampshire, The Honourable his
Majesty's Council, & House of Representatives, in General,
Assembly, Convened.
The Humble Petition, of the Subscribers Inhabitants of Lon-
donderry & Province aforeSaid, Humbly Sheweth, That the
Number, of Taverns, are so Multiplied, in Londonderry Afore-
said, they are become a Snare to the Youth, & of Evil Ten-
dency, to every Age of Injudicious persons, & if they are All
Continued (or which is worse Increased) we fear they will
More & More Debase, & Debauch, the Manners & Morals of
All such persons as Abovesaid.
Therefore Your Petitioners Humbly pray, that for the future
there may be but four Taverns, & Retailers, Alowed in Lon-
donderry, aforeSaid, & the Inn-holders, to be Chosen by A
majority, of Votes at the Annual Meeting, & so Annually Un-
till the Circumstances, of the Town Requires a greater. Num-
ber, & them that are pro Tempore, to be under such Regula-
tions, in Respect to Travellers, Towns-Men Sabbath-Days, &
LONDONDERRY.
445
every night, as in your Great Wisdoms you think Most Con-
venient, & most Conducive, to Incourage Virtue & Discourage
Vice, & your Petitioners, as in Duty Bound, Will ever Pray.
Samuell Gregg
Sam 11 Alison Jun r
Sam 11 miller
his
So 11 o Alls
mark
hugh young
James Taggart
James Anderson
Robert Craig
James Doack
Nathaniel Aiken
Nathanel Holms
Jo 11 Wallace
Rob 1 Parkeson
Joseph Cochran
John gillmore
Robert Boyes
Mathew Thornton
William Wallace
Thomas Gregg
James Ervins
James Campbell
Robert Logan
William humphra
Samuel morrison
John Ramsey
Samu 1 moore
Samu 1 Alison
John morrison
Rob' Wallace
James Wallace
Thomas Willson
Ja s M c Gregore
James Blair
John m c keen
John moor
Hugh Montgomery
David mountgumrey
Robert morison
David anderson
Jn° Wiear
Thomas Morison
Sam 11 Mitchel Jur
thomas Creaige
David Steel
Mo s Barnett
Andrew Clendinin
James Wallace
Thomas Wallace
[6-1 14] [Special Town- Meeting called for, 77^5.]
To The Hon ble the House of Represen 5 for the Province of New
Hamp r now Convened —
The Petition of James Nesmith and Sam 1 Barr two of the
Select men of the Town of Londonderry in the Province afores d
in behalf of the other Select men of the Said Town, for them-
selves, an in the behalf of the said Town Humbly Sheweth —
That by the Malefeazance of one of the Constables of the Said
Town and the Interruption and Disturbance made by a party of
the Inhabit 8 at the Meeting of the Said Inhab ts to Choose a Rep-
resent™ for the Said Town, the End and Design of the Said
Meeting was Intirely defeated and the Same broke up without
Choosing any as y e Hon ble House may See by the Return of the
Sheriff &c. — So that the Said Town is now in this Session of
y e Gen 1 Court without a Representive which may possibly be of
111 Consequence to the Same — wherefore yo r Petition rs Humbly
pray that the Hon ble House would order that the Inhab ts of the
Said Town, may meet Immediately & Choose Some proper
Person to Represent them in this Court and in order thereunto
to Direct a precept to the proper Persons to See that matter
Effected, or proceed in Such other manner as the Exigence of
446 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the affair Requires and as shall to you in yo r Wisdom Seem
meet —
Yo r Petition 1-8 will as in Duty bound ever pray
James Nesmith
Samuell Barr
[6-1 15] [Relative to Taxes, 77^5.]
Provence of New hempshier Londondery february th 27 1745/6
Reseved from Ebeneser Spalding the Sume of two Pound old
tenor for his toun and Provence Rats for the year 1745 as wit-
nes my hand Samuel Dickey Constable
[6-1 16]
Londonderry December th 4 1745
Joseph Butler is Reated 1- 5-8
Gorg Bures is Reated 0-1S-1
Moses Beeret is Reated 1-05-5
James Beeret is Reated 1-02-2
this is a true Copey taken out of the list Comited to me by
the Select men per
Samuel Dickey Con 8
[6-1 1 7] [Order to the Constable to collect Taxes, 7764.^
Provence of Newhampshir
Londonderry Agust the 21 : 1764,
to Robert Barnett Collector for the old parish on westerly
Side of Bovour Brook In Said Londonderry : you are hereby
Required and Commanded to Collect the foiling Somes as they
are anexed to Each persons names in this List it being all old
tener In order to pay the Rev n W m Davisons Sallary for his La-
bours amoungst us in the ministry for the Corrant year for which
he Shall have an order for from us the Subscribers for the Som
you are to pay and the Remainder you are to pay to us or our
order to Defray the parish Charges In the present year and
whom So Ever Shall Neglect or Refuse to pay the Som or Somes
anexed to ther nams you are to make Distres as the Law Di-
rects and for want of Goods or Chattels wheron to Distrain you
are to take the Bodeys of them that So Refuses or neglects to
pay and Committ him hir or them Into the Common Goall at
LONDONDERRY. 44/
Portsmouth in Said provence ther to Remain untill they pay the
Som or Somes So afixed to ther nams with all Lawfull Charges
arising ther from or otherwise untill they be Discharged By due
Cource of Law and the Soms So Colectted you are to pay and
answer the order as above at or Before the Last Day of Novem-
ber next InShuing the Deat and this Shall Be your warent
Given under our hands and Seal the Day and year above
Androw Todd") Q ,
c« in i oeiect
Samu 1 Barr > ^r
John Gilmor )
Londonderry September th 12 : 1766
Recivd of Petter Evins the Sume of nine Shillings Lafull
money it Being in full for the Redemison of Goods taken By
Distress from him By me By Vertue of a waren from the Select
Men of the town of Londonderry for the Collecting the Salery
of the Rev* W m Davison for the year 1764 —
Robert Barnett Colecter
Wittness Present
Jn° Caldwell
Robert Morison
[6-n%~\[Relative to the Election of an Assemblyman, 1762. ~\
Provance of Newhampshire
Lond ry , Jan ry y c iS th 1762
In Obedence to the within warrant, it being Legally Call d r
the freeholders of S d Lond ry and windham Met on S d Day, and
after Reading the warrants for S d meeting, they Chose for Mod-
erator for S d meeting Coll n Andrew Todd then the moderater,
put it to a vote to See if they would have the assembly man
Chosen by a writen Vote or an hand Vote, and it Carried to
have him by a writen Vote, and by the moderaters orders I
Rec d the Vots and Counted them, and their was in Noumber
for Coll n Barr Seventy Six, and for Ensin M c Greger Eighty
Seven and for m r Rob 4 Clark thirty Six, then theire was a Con-
test Rose in the meeting before the vots was made publick that
the vote was not fair in the afors d vote, and they Contested
about it for Some time, and then the Moderater told them that
he would Give them the vote againe, and also he Give them a
vote to See wither they wold be pol'd off, or have awriten Vote,
and it Carried to have awriten Vote, and I was ordered by the
moderater to Recive the Vots the Second time, and theire was
for Coll n Sam 11 Barr Seventy two, and for Ensin James M c Greg-
448 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
er Six, and for Rob* Clark two, and I Retorned the Noumber
to the Moderater, and after wards he Nomenated Coll n Sam 11
Barr Chosen to be our assembley Man.
a true Copey of the mi nits of the afores d meeting
attest per Mo 8 Barnett town Clerk
[6-1 19] \_Election of Assemblyman disputed, iy62.~\
To y e Honourable House of Representatives, for the Province
of New-Hampshire, in General Assembly Convened,
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants, & Freeholders,
in Londonderry, & Windham, in the Province Aforesaid,
Qualified by Law to Vote in Electing Representatives, Humbly
Shews ; —
That Your Petitioners, together with Other Inhabitants, &
Freeholders, Of the Towns Afores d , Qualified as Afores d , Being
Notified Agreeable to Usual Custom, Met in Londonderry
Afores d , & then & there proceeded, as May Appear by a Copy
of S d Meeting herewith Exhibited.
And Whereas, it has Allwiys been the Custom in London-
derry Afores d in Chusing a Representative or a Town Officer,
That he who had the Majority of Votes Compaired with any
other Individual voted for, was Deem'd Legally Chosen :
Therefore, Numbers of your Petitioners, when it was known
that James M c gregore, Gent n had the Majority of Votes By
Eleven Compaired as Above, Left the Meeting, & far the
greater Number of those that Staid, beleiving as Aboves d , Did
not Vote, But if it is, as Some Alledge, that the person Chosen
Representative, must have the Majority of all the votes then by
our Mistake we have Mised the Opportunity, & neglected to
Emprove our Priviledge of voting for or Against a Representa-
tive ; & the Gentleman s d to be our Representative, was not
Chosen by the Majority of Voters, belonging to the Aboves d
Towns Nor by the Majority then present as will Appear by the
Above s d Copy. Now if our Custom is According to Law,
James M c gregore aboves d is Representative for the abovesaid
Towns, & we Doubt not will be Declared so by your Honours,
& Accordingly Allow'd a Seat in your Honourable House ; But
ify e Latter is Law, we beleive you to be, Gentlemen, of too
much Justice, Integrity, & Disinterested, Love for the Liber-
ties, & properties, Of your Fellow Subjects, to Take the Ad-
vantage of our Unacquaintedness with Law, or to let any man
have a Seat in your Honourable House, that Obtain'd it any
Other Way but by the free Choice of a free people, or that
LONDONDERRY.
449
would hold it any other Way, if in his power. Therefore,
Your Petitioners Humbly pray your Honours to Declare the
S d M c gregore our Representative, or order the Selectmen of
Londonderay, & Windham afores d to Warn, the Inhabitants
Qualified as afores d to meet at Such time & place as you think
fit, & Elect a Representative, According to Law, & Such a
man as the Majority, will be willing to Intrust with their Lib-
erties, & Properties, & Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will
ever pray.
Dated at Londonderry Jan y 25 th — AD 1762. —
Mathew Thornton
Robert Boyes
Samuel Rankin
James Rogers
Robert Mack Jun r
William Rankin
Joseph Cochran
James Cochran
John Wiar
Thomas Campbell
Robert Adams
David Mountgomery
Daniel M cc Neil
Daniel M cc Duffy
James Adams
Jonathan Gilmore
George Moors
Jesse Christey
Thomas Christey
Robert M cc Farland
Samuel Karr
James Campble
Samuel Archibald
Matthew Taylor
Nathaniel Aiken
Jun r
William Cunning-
ham
Elias Serjeant
Tru worthy Serjeant
John Taylor
Hugh Greeg
John Patten
James Miltimber
David Anderson
James Anderson
3i
Alexander M ce Mur-
P h y
James M cc Murphy
James Blair
John Wadle
William Adams
Jonathan Adams
William Adams Jun r
Patrick Dugless
William Eayrs
Robert Morrison
James M cc Murphy
Jun r
Robert Fultin
Samuel Fisher
Samuel Morrison
John Hilandes
Thomas Hilandes
Moses Wattes
Robert Davidson
John Aiken Jun r
James Aiken
Benjamin Nesmith
John Rogers
John Moor
James Boyes
George Duncan
John Duncan
John Duncan Jun r
William Duncan
John Aiken
William Eayers Jun r
Edward Aiken
Nathaniel Aiken
John Bell
Matthew Pinkerton
Robert Boyd
Hugh Moor
Robert Campble
Samuel Graham
John Clark
Edward Aiken Jun r
William Aiken
James Anderson
William Boyd
Robert Cunningham
John Senter
Samuel Senter
Reuben Senter
James Gregg
William Alexander
John Woodburn
William Dickey
Joseph Willson
John Thompson
Samuel Thompson
Alexander Moles-
ter
Matthew Clark
Joseph Moor
Thomas Nesmith
Thomas Burnside
William Dinsmore
Robert Dinsmore
John Cochran
John Dinsmore
James Jamison
William Jamison
James Hopkins
John Hopkins Jun r
John Hopkins
Sampson Moor
450 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
James Lindsay Isaac Bruster Thomas Craig
Stephen Holland John Scoby John Nesmith
John Wallace J onn Pinkerton Jun r William Miltimber
George Clark David Pinkerton James Clark
George Clark Jun r John Mack W 7 illiam Taylor
Alexander Patterson Robert Mack Jun r George Scoot
Robert Patterson William Wallace David Archibald
Thomas Willson Christopher Eayrs William Fisher
John Brown James Betton George Clark the
Robert Archibald James M cc Cormick third
Robert M cc Murphy John Mountgomery Samuel Clark
Samuel Huestin James Campble Jun r John M cc Keen
Alexander Huestin James Taggart John Gregg
John Hunter Robert Logan Samuel Gregg
[Set aside, and a new writ from the house sent out. —
Ed.]
[R. 2-192] [Abstracts from Petitions of French War sol-
diers^
[In a petition dated " Londonderry this 5 th day of Feb-
ruary 1757," Daniel McMurphy stated that he was in the
service in 1756, in Capt. John Shepard's company, and lost
his gun, for which he wanted pay, and was allowed £8, 5.
—Ed.]
[R. 2-193] [In a petition, dated March 17, 1757, James
Ligget stated that he was in Capt. John Moor's company
in the Crown Point expedition, enlisted April 28, 1755, and
was discharged October 10, 1755. — Ed.]
[R. 2-194] The Petition of Moses Grimes of Londonderry
Labourer, Most Humbly Sheweth, That your Petitioner was a
Souldier in the Canada Expedition in the year 1757, In the Ser-
vice of this Province under the Command of Cap 1 Hercules
Mooney & as such Proceeded to Fort William Henry, where
after the seige he was Taken & made Prisoner by the Indians
& Carrved to Canada, where he remained about the Space of
four months & was from thence Transported to several parts of
France & from thence To Plymouth in England where he Took
Passage to Newfoundland & from thence to New York where
LONDONDERRY. 45 I
he arrived the Tenth Day of November 1758 & got home about
fourth day of December, That your Petitioner During his Cap-
tivity had Hard fare & 111 Treatment from the enemy. — * * *
Moses Grimes
[He asked for an allowance, which was granted to th
amount of £7$ new tenor, March 14, 1759. — Ed.]
[6-120] \_Relative to the Formation of Counties, 1769. ,]
Province of New Hampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq 1 " Gov r & Commander
in Cheif And to the Honourable his Maj ts Councel and House
of Representetives for s d Provence in General Assembly Con-
veen'd —
The Petition of us the subscribers being Inhabitants of the
Town of Londonderry in s d Province Most Humbly sheweth
that Your Petitioners being Inform d that the province is About
being devided into Countys for the ease and benefit of the Inhab-
itants in General in transacting their business of a Publick na-
ture & being also Inform d that the General Assembly have Voted
a small County to be sett oft' adjacent to the Westerly side of
Merrimack, We Your Petitioners pray that the Towns of Bow
Chester Londonderry Pelham Plasto salem Hampsted Sandown
which lay Conveninently situated to s d County May be anexed
thereto as it wou'd save the most of the Inhabitants of s d Towns
thirty Miles travell in transacting their busines with Courts
Judges of Probate Register &c And no other persons whatso-
ever wou'd (as your Petitioners Concieve) be Injur'd thereby —
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Sam 11 Boyes Will m Clendinen Math w Taylor
Geo Reid Rob' Clendinen Samuel Taylor
John Steward John Morison Ju r John Hughes
Samuel Wilson mathew Reid Ju Adam Taylor
Thomas Steel John Reid John Durham
John morison James morrow Henry Scott
Nath 1 Martin John Hopkins John Douglass
Jn° Steel James thompson John Durham
John Stewart Ju r James Nesmith
[Other petitions of the same date and nature contain the
following names : — Ed.]
452
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Gregg
Nath 11 aiken
John Cofren
Samuel paten
John Patten
John Gregg
James Gregg
William Gregg
George Gregg
Benjamin Gregg
Sam 11 Alison
Sam 1 Allison — Ju r
thorn as Creage
David Craige
John Cate
James m c murphy
Joseph Hogg
Abra m Duncan
Tho s m c Cleary
Samuel Morrison
Maur. Lynch
moses wats
John Aiken
Thomas Hilande
Robert Boyes
David m c clearey
John Watts
Mathew Thornton
George Duncan Ju
Charles mellen
Robert Craige
John moor
Robert moor
John moor
Patrck Dugles
Samuel Clark
Samuel morison
James Cochran
Johnthen Cochran
Samuel miliar Juner
John miller
Hugh mountgumry
John dicky
addam dicky
Josaph Bell
Will m Hogg
Ja 8 Hogg
Jn° Hilands
Adam VViar
Will m Wiar
Willia Holms
John Duncan iunef
John Duncan
James Aiken
Joseph Oughterson
David Oughterson
william Duncan
george Duncan
James Doack
John Doack
James Doack
James Miltmer
n r william Miltmer
James Hopkens
Daniel Miltmer
John Thompson
James Wallace
Joseph Cochran
James Donaldson
Samuell Renkin
James Ewins
William Elliot
Alexander Kelso
W m Adams
George Cochran
Robert Moor
Nath 1 Clark
Alexander Cochran
John Cochran
Willam Cochran
Edward Clemison
Georg Duncan
Robert Duncan
Robert Barnett
John Barnett
John Barnett Junr
James Duncan
Sam 1 Dickey
Adam Dickey
Robert Dickey
William Wallace
Joseph Clyd
James Millican
Nethanel Hemphill
Thomas Clark
Will" 1 Dickey
John Armstrong
John Armstrong Ju r
David Gregg
Thomas Cochran
Elijah Cochran
[The following are from Windham :]
Robert Smith
Nath 1 Hemphill
James anderson
John Clyd
Hugh Clyd
John Campbel
James Betton
David Armstrong
Will 111 Campbel
Robert Hemphill
[The following are from Londonderry :]
Will™ Rogers
George Davidson
John Davidson
John MCartney
Joseph morrison George m c Allaster
Abraham morison Edward Aiken
James Shellis William Eayers
Joseph Morison Jun r John Woodburn
LONDONDERRY.
453
Alexander Davidson
nenian cochran
william Alexander
John Alexander
Robert Anderson
James Anderson
John Anderson
John Steel
john Steel jur
moses Steel
William steel
Joseph Steell
Isaac Page
Moses Grimes
Frances Grimes
Frances Grimes
Juner
John Campbell
thomas Smith
William adams
Hugh Smith
David Campbell
John smith
William Hood
James Barnet
Reuben Page
Reuben page iuner
Simon Bradcest
Richard marshall
iuner
Richard marshall
the third
David Lawrance
Peter Robinson
Benjamin Kidder
Daniel Marshall
Andrew Cummings
Isaac Cumings
john marshall
wilyam Graham
Richard marshall
Samson Kidder
Mathew Reid
William Pettarson
Thomas Campbell
Daniel m c Neal
Robert morison
William Alexander
Isaack Cochran
Sam 11 Cochran
Sam 11 Wallace
W m Johnston
David Clendinin
Hugh Danshe
John Crombie Junr
W m Eayrs
James Christy
James Crombie
John Wallace
James Lindsay
James Blair
John Ramsey
W m Blair
John Crombie
Eliphlet Dusten
William Brodneck
Rob* Clark
Jn° Clark
Sa» Clark
James Ramsey
James Ramsey Jun r
William Ramsey
Jam 8 Eyars
Charles Cox
William Cox
William Cox Jun r
Rob* Smith
Will" 1 Ranken
Samuel morison
Mo 8 Barnett
John Barnet
James Barnet
Rob* Barnet
Alexander Miller
Steph 11 Holland
Reuben Senter
Jabes Town
William Boyd
James anderson
Benjamin Wilson
James anderson
Thomas mann
Edward Aiken
Joseph Boyd
Sam 11 Senter
Benjamin Senter
Robert Mack junr
Robert Patterson
Thomas Patterson
John Patterson
Rober* Thomson
Rober' Fulton
David mountgumrey
Samul graham
Adam Dickey
Elisha Cumings
Hugh mountgumrey
George Burrows
David Peabody
Philip marshall
Robert MacMurphy
Robert Adams
John Moor
william morrow
Jonathan Adams
John Holmes
John Dinsmoor
William Dinsmoor
Rob 1 Dinsmoor
Sam 11 Morison
David Smiley
John Morison
John Stewart
Benjamin Thorn
Sam 11 Morison J r
William Thorn
Robert Park
David Hopkins
Gain Armour
jn° Morrow
jam 8 Morrow
Moses Dutty
Aurther Darrah
James Gillmore
Alex dr Park
Sam 11 M c Adams
Mark Coin
Joseph Smith
Alex Jr Wilson
John Wilson
thomas wilson
454 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Boves James Patterson Alex d Richey
Robert Boyes Ebenezer Patterson Tho m Jameson
Sam 1 Greg J onn Clark James Jameson
Abram Reed Samull Thompson william Jameson
John Livingston John Thompson Ailex dr Simpson
Allexander Stewart Joseph Willson Adam Tempelton
John Barr J°hn Willson Charles Amies
James Alexander James Gregg Rob* hopkin
Andrew Jack David Woodburn And w Armour
James Cochran Jur John Woodburn Jam 8 Thomson
John Stinson thomas willson jn° TurU
Nathan Stinson Petter Patterson Hen ry Campbel
James Stinson Alexander m c allster Sam 11 Campbel
Archibald Clindenen Archibald m c AllasterWill m Campbel
David Morison John m c Allaster jn° Karr
[6-1 28] \_An Address to the Governor, iyyj.~\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq r Cap 1 Gen 1 and Gov r
in chief in and over his Majestys Province of New Hamp-
shire —
The inhabitants of the town of Londonderry, beg leave to
approach your Excell y and to express their sentiments of grati-
tude, and affection, to your Excellency's person, and adminis-
tration. —
We esteem it a peculiar mark of the favor of his gratious
Majesty, that he has appointed to the supream command here,
a Gentleman whose birth, and education, have been in the
province, over which he presides. From these circumstances,
and your Excell ys known character, we early conceived, the
most sanguine hopes, from your administration. Nor have we
been disappointed. The unabated attention you have given to
the intrests of the Province, has not only been felt by the peo-
ple of your charge ; but has been observed (we had almost said
envied) by our neighbours who are without the line of your
jurisdiction.
The cultivation of land within the government, and the ex-
tention of settlem* even to regions that were scarce known
when your Excell y came to the chair, must be attributed in a
great measure, to your care, and the benignity of your Govern-
ment, But it has not been in this view alone that you have been
the Patron of this people. To extend settlements, or to culti-
vate lands, while the people that settle and cultivate, are with-
out the means of knowledge, might be rather injurious than
beneficial. But these have not escaped your Excellenc ys atten-
tion. The institution of a College in the wilderness, and the
LONDONDERRY. 455
liberal encouragement it has received from your hand is an
abundant evidence of this attention. —
We cannot help mentioning as a peculiar happiness, of the
people under your Excell ys charge, that your ears have been
always open to their voice. — The easie access they have gain'd ;
and the polite reception they have Met with ; from you has
afforded them the means of communicating and your Excell 7
of receiving all necessary information of their wishes, and of
their wants. —
We have been excited to make this address to your Excel 7 as
a testimonial of our sense of your benign Administration ; and
as an evidence of our opinion of any suggestions, that may
have been made to the prejudice of your Excellency in these
respects. And to assure you of our loyalty to the King and
our affection to your Person —
That your Excell y may live long ; and long continue the hap-
py Instrum* in the hands of Providence, of much good to this
people, is our ardent wish and prayer
Londonderry April 29 A. D 1773 —
The Above Address was Read in a town-Meeting Legally
Called for that purpose and it was Unanimously Voted that it
should be presented to His Excellency John Wentworth Esq.
Atested per Henry Campbell Town Clerk
[6-130] [Relative to Parish Affairs, I774>~\
Rockingham ss Londonderry Febr y 14 th 1774
To James Betton — Esquire one of his Majestys justices of the
Peace for said County of Rockingham
The Petetions of us the Subscribers being freeholders and
Inhabitants of the old Parish of Londonderry in the County
aforesaid humbly sheweth that by an Act of the general Asem-
bly of this Province pased in the year 1739/40 there was A
Parish set of from said Town Called the west or New Parish
with Parish priviledges notwithstanding which they the said
New Parish have always assembled and Voted with the peti-
tioners in the Choice of Select men and other Town Officers
and your petitioners have no proper officers of theire own to
Call a meeting but have Lost that Priviledge
Your petitioners terefore pray that aCording To the Law of
this Province in such Cases provded your honours would isue
a warrant or notification to the freeholders and Inhabitants of
456 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
said old parish in Londonderry qualified by law to vote in town
affairs to meet at the meeting house in said parish on the s tk
Day of march next at ten of the Clock in the forenoon for the
following purposes namely to choose a Moderater Town Clerk
Select men and all other town officers for the ensuing year and
your petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray
Stephen Holland James Cochran
Robert Clark Robert moor
James Wallace william vance
Samuel Alison James Alexander
moses Barnet John m c Cartney
Samuel Barr David Craig
A true Coppey of the affors d Pitition
Attest Mo 8 Barnett town Clerk
[6-13 1] [Petition to have an Election set aside, 777^.]
Province of Newhampshire
To the hon ble House of Representatives for said province in
General assembly Conven d
The Humble petition of us the Subscribers freeholders in
the Town of Londonderry and windham in s d province shew r eth
that Sam 11 Livermore Sam 11 Barr an d Stephen Holland Esq"
and Robert Moor and John Crombie Gentlemen under Collour
of being Select men of a pretended east Town in London-
derry issued a warrant for Calling a meeting of the free-
holders in the pretended East town in s d Londonderry and
allso a Notification to the freeholders of the west parish in
said Londonderry for the election of a Representative for said
Londonderry in the then Next General Assembly in Conse-
quence of said warrant so illegaly issued as your petitioners
Conceive there was a Meeting of part of the freeholders in s d
LonDonderry at which Meeting the part that inclined to Vote
Chose Stephen Holland Esq 1 " as a Representative for said town
Y r petitioners Conceiving the s d Meeting illegal in every Re-
spect Did Not Vote but protested Against the unwarrantable
proceedings of the Same Wherefore they pray s d Election May
Be adjudged Void and that they May have a New Choice and
your petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray
Londonderry April y e 12 1774
Andrew Todd Benj" Gregg Ja s Nesmith
George Duncan Mathew Clark Jacob Chace
San 11 Fisher Dav Anderson LIugh Moor
LONDONDERRY.
457
John Nesmith
James Paul
David Paul
John taylor
Adam taylor
Samuel Taylor
James m c keen
Jonathan Gillmore
Rob* Morison
Rob* Hunter
Robert archbold
Arthur archbold
James M c Gregore
Ja s Adams
Rob* adams
Rob* M'farland
John Karr
Rob* Wallace
James Hopkins
Sam 11 Elis
will" 1 Cunningham
Simeon Morral
Barnes Morral
David Colby
David Colby Ju r
David Tayler
will m Taylor
Danil Cheney
Stephen Johnson
John Greg
Joseph Gregg
Sam 11 Gregg Ju r
James Milltimber
John Gunion
George Reid
Ja s willson
John Nesmith Ju r
John Hopkins
John Hopkins Ju r
Rob* Hopkins
Sam 11 willson
George Clark
Sam 11 Clark
Isaac Cochran
Thomas Anderson
will m Gregg
Ja s Gregg
George Gregg
Sam 11 Marsh
John Marsh
will m Milltimer
John Cochran
John Annis
John M c keen Ju r
Rob* M c keen
Thomas Clark
John M c keen
David M'keen
John Dunkan
Thomas Hiland
Ja s Donaldson
Sam 11 Morison
Ja s Nesmith Ju r
John Dunkan
will m Dunkan
Rob* M c Cluer
James MacGregore
Sam 11 Karr
John Aiken
Nath 11 aiken
Ja s Aiken
John Bell
Isaac Bruster
John Pinkerton
Abraham Dunkan
Ja s M c Murphy
Ja s Taggart
George Dunken Ju r
Thomas Taggart
Rob* MacNeil
John Hunter
Jonathan Adams
Daniel Hunter
Sam 11 Huston
Alex 1- Huston
Ja 8 Adams
John waddel
James Waddel
John Wallace
Ja s Wallace
George Wallace
Sam 1 Renken
will" 1 Renken
will" 1 Cox
Ja s Gorman
Joseph Cochran
John Weiar
[The election was declared illegal, and a precept for an-
other one issued. — Ed.]
[6-134] [Protest against the foregoing named Town- Meet-
ing.']
To Sam 11 Livermore and Samell Barr and Stephen Holland
Esq" and Robert Moor and John Crombie Gentlemen We the
Subscribers Inhabitants of Londonderry and windham Having
heard that you have ordered warrants to be Set up to Call a
Meeting at the Rev d william Davidsons Meeting House on
Saturday y e 2 d of April Next to Chuse a Representative to go to
the General Court — we Do Hereby Take this Opportunity of
458
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Entring our protest Aginst any of your proceedings that May
Be Transacted at Said Meeting as your Warrant we think is
without any Just foundation for the following Reasons —
Viz that we Do Not Look upon you to be the Select men o
LonDonderry or any part thereof and that you have Taken Hold
of the Sherrifs writ Directed to the Select men of Londonderry
to warn Said Meeting without Bringing the Matter in Dispute
who are the Legal Select men for Said Town before the proper
Judges who are to Determine the Same Given under our hands
y e twenty Eighth of March 1774
John M c keen
Ja s MacGregore
Rob 1 MacNeil
Rob 1 Adams
James Adams
Rob' Adams Ju r
James Hopkins
John Karr
Robert M c farland
Robert Wallace
will m Cunningham
Sam 11 Eli
william Tayler
David Tayler
Simeon Morral
Barnes Morral
Stephen Johnston
Abraham Page
Daniel Cheney
Ja s Cheney
Daniel MacDuffe
James M c Gregore
Ju'
Jonathan Gillmore
ArchboldM c Murphy
Jonathan Adams
John Livingston
Rob 1 Morison
Robert Hunter
John Hunter
John Wallace
Rob'archbold
Daniel Hunter
Sam 11 Ren ken
Samuel Huston
John Waddel
will m Renken
will™ Cox
Joseph Cochran
will 111 Gregg
John Nesmith
David Anderson
John Gunnison
Math w Clark
James Gregg
Isaac Cochran
Thomas Anderson
Thomas Clark
George Gregfor
John M c keen Ju r
David Colby
John Tayler
James Paul
David paul
Sam 11 willson
John Anniss
George Reid
Adam Tayler
Adam Dickey
Thomas Taggart
John Bar net
James Taggart
John Dunkan
George Dunkan Ju r
Ja s M c Murphy
John Craige
Samuel fisher
John Cate
James Milltimber
Sam 11 Karr
Edward Eli
Robert Boyd
Sam 11 willson Ju r
Sam 11 Marsh
John Marsh
Ja s willson
will™ Miltimber
John Hopkins
John Hopkins Ju r
Robert Hopkins
John Nesmith Ju r
Thomas Nesmith
Sam 11 Clark
David M c keen
will 111 Dickey
Abraham Dunkan
Jacob Chase
John Dickey
Joseph Bell
John Pinkerton
John Dunkan Ju r
will' 11 Dunkan
John watt
George Dunkan
John Barnet Ju r
James Donaldson
Thomas Hiland
James Nesmith Ju r
Robert M c Clure
Hugh Moor
John Gregg
Benjamin Gregg
Sam 11 Gregg
Joseph Gregg
John Aiken
James Ewins
James Aiken
Nath 11 Aiken
LONDONDERRY.
459
Ja s waddel
James Adams
Mathew Pinkerton
Ja s Dinsmore
James Wallace
James Blair
Alex 1- Huston
Rob* Smith
John Dinsmore
will" 1 Dinsmore
John Cochran Ju r
Isaac Cochran Ju r
James Cochran
Thomas Jamison
Thomas Craige
James Mackeen
George Wallace
John Bell
David Pinkerton
John Pinkerton Ju r
Isaac Bruster
Thomas Craige Ju r
Evidence to the above paper
Samuel gregg Robert mckeen
[6-135] [Reimbursement %va?tted for Money f aid Men who
turned out on the Lexington Alarm, 1775 '.]
Londonderry October y e 9 : 1775.
To the Honourable Congress of the Colony of New Hamp-
shire Convened at Exeter —
Gentlemen We the Subscribers being Selectmen for
Londonderry Begs leave to lay Before your Honours
That upon the Comencement of Hostilitys by the
Kings Troops Last april we raised a Company
of fifty men and Sent Down upon that Emergency
and we advanced Twelve Pound L : M : for their
Support as Billiting money Said Company Remained
There upon Duty Eleven Days untill they were
Dismised for that Time in order to Inlist a full
Company to Join the Contenentall army untill
The last of Next December and when said
Company was raised we again advanced Six
Pound L : M : as Billeting money to Carry them
To Head Quarters
Wherefore we Pray that your Honours would Take
This matter under your Consideration and
Reimburse Said Sums with the wages of said
Company for the aforesaid Eleven Days unto
your petitioners as said Company is very
Earnest upon us for their Wages and your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Mo s Barnett
Will m Duncan
Sam 11 Allison
Hugh Montgomery
John Bell
460 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-195]
[In a petition dated June 14, 1764, Thomas Launen, of
Londonderry, stated that he " Served his majesty as a Sol-
dier in Cap* Nehemiah Lovells Company in the Pay of this
Province in 1762." His pay had been drawn on a forged
order. In H. of Rep., June 15, 1764, he was allowed
£7, 14, 6.— Ed.]
[R. 2-197]
[Thomas Davidson, of Londonderry, stated that his son
William was "a Soldier in the year 1762, under the Com-
mand of Cap* John Hazzen in Col John Goffes Regiment."
He was sick at Crown Point, and there died January 10,
1763. Samuel Barr, acting as attorney for said Thomas,
petitioned for the wages due said William. — Ed.]
[R. 2-199]
This May certify that the bearer John Livingston within
named went to Exeter and Brought A Horse and Cart from
there to Londonderry and Carrv d His Tools from there on his
Expence to Medford to work as an armourer for y e Continentall
army
James M c Gregore
April y e 10 th 1776
[He presented a bill of expense amounting to £l s 7, I.
— Ed.1
[R. 2-200] [Petition of David George, Soldiery iyy6.~\
[In a petition dated Londonderry, February 20, 1776,
David George stated that he was " in Col Arnolds Regrn'
going from Head Quarters to Canada and going up Kene-
bunk River the Batue overset and I lost my gun ;" and
further stated that he " Bought another gun from Samuel
Cherry, and at the Time when generall mountgomery
attempted to Storm Quebeck your Petitioner was sick in
Hospitle and my gun was taken by a soldier who was taken
Prisoner and I Lost her." He asked to be paid for the
guns. — Ed.]
LONDONDERRY. 46 1
[R. 2-201] [Service of Minute Men, J 775.']
To the Gentlemen members of the provincial Congress in
Assembly Conven'd we the Subscribers Inhabitants of London-
derry humbly shews that we the said Inhabitants of said town
afores d on hearing of the alarm and dangerous Estate of our
fellow brethren on the nineteenth of April last and likewise
after the battle at Bunker Hill repaired severall of us to their
help which cost us much both money and time which we hum-
bly pray you to consider and if you see fit be pleased to allow
us a reasonable consideration as a Retaliation for the following
charges occasioned by the same
at Concord alarm
James Nesmith for travel in going and coming from London-
derry to Cambridge 90 miles and 3 days service
John Morrison Jun r for travel 90 miles & 3 days service as
above
Robert Wil 
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